Crackdown on Iranian Media Spurs Protests

Thousands of university students cut classes Tuesday to rally behind Iran’s president, whose reformist movement suffered a blow this week when hard-line opponents closed down 13 pro-democracy newspapers and magazines.

The media crackdown, which included the arrests of two journalists, was an indication of the power that hard-liners wield and are willing to use despite the popularity of President Mohammad Khatami.

Also on Tuesday, a clerical court issued an arrest warrant for Hassan Eshkevari, a pro-reform cleric who attended a recent Berlin conference where Iranian exiles criticized Iran’s religious government.

The official Islamic Republic News Agency said charges against Eshkevari include acting “against national security, propaganda against the system and behavior not befitting the clergy.”

Students at several universities spent the day protesting the newspaper closures and expressing support for Khatami.

More than 3,000 students rallied in the southern city of Shiraz, according to journalists.

In Tehran, more than 300 students at a university cut classes and gathered to hear speakers. “Stand firm, Khatami! Stand firm, Khatami!” the students chanted.

On the green iron fence around the university hung the last issues of the 13 publications that were closed down Sunday and Monday by order of the hard-line judiciary.

Only two reformist newspapers--Mosharekat and Bayan--were exempt. The ban on a 14th newspaper, Sobh-e Emrooz, was lifted Monday.

Sobh-e Emrooz was managed by Saeed Hajjarian, who survived an assassination attempt March 12 that many have blamed on hard-liners. On Tuesday, a court opened the trial of eight suspects in the shooting.

The newspaper closures appear to be a backlash from the hard-liners after their loss in February elections.

A hard-line advisory panel, the Guardians Council, has canceled the results of 12 seats won by reformists, including one overturned Tuesday in the southern town of Jiroft. The council has also ordered a recount in Tehran, where reformists won 29 of the 30 seats.