Tehran police disperse pro-freedom rally near university

Iranian security forces broke up a pro-democracy gathering outside Tehran University on Sunday afternoon, according to student news agency ISNA and eyewitnesses.

Hundreds had assembled at the university's main gate, chanting freedom slogans and distributing flowers and sweets. Authorities dispersed the crowd without reported violence. ISNA suggested the participants were influenced by opposition groups operating from outside Iran.

An AFP journalist who visited the area later that evening found heavy traffic but no sign of renewed activity.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in September 2004, in its own words.