Dozens arrested as Iranian security forces attack university campuses

The Students Union of Iran has documented more than 40 arrests of university students and is collating reports of detentions and raids on campuses by security forces across the country on its Telegram channel.

The Norway-based Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, which reports on Kurdish areas in the west of Iran, said the fate of dozens of young people arrested last week and dozens of others detained by security forces for attending earlier protests remained unknown.

Anousheh*, a student at a university in Tehran, told the Guardian that she was violently assaulted by security forces last weekend as she left her campus.

University students in Mashhad also said they had been attacked by security forces this week, with videos online appearing to show plainclothes officers dragging students into vehicles.

Karim* said he was part of a group of about 200 students who had gathered on 26 October to mark the 40th day of mourning for Mahsa Amini.

Moments after arriving, Karim claims security forces locked the gates and blocked the exits. Students were detained and beaten as they tried to leave, he said.

Another student from Mashhad, who said he was attacked on 29 October as he attended a protest, said security forces beat young people unconscious and refused them access to medical help.