Iranian regime 'stars' political students

Source: Guardian UK

Iran's "starred" students - politically active university students barred from continuing with their studies - are desperately trying to obtain the right to go on with their education. Undergraduates who have criticised the government are given one to three penalty points, according to the possible threat they are said to pose. About 150 students are currently starred. Those who have been registered for masters courses have been forced to do so under preset conditions. The conditions allow university officials to expel the students at any time. "Three-starred" students are not allowed to register.

Ahmadinejad faced chants of "Death to the dictator" while addressing students in the university sports hall in December last year. The university was in turmoil. "When we went in the hall, half of the chairs were occupied by unfamiliar students," says Bijan Pouryousefi, a student who was there. "We found that they were from Imam Hossein and Imam Sadegh universities, and regional Basijis who were there to support the president." Basij militias are non-official groups who go into universities to preach Islamic thoughts and support the government. At Imam Sadegh and Imam Hossein universities, professors and students are appointed by the government; other universities have a public entrance exam.

"They couldn't do anything to protesters, because Ahmadinejad told them not to take revenge, but we as politically active students in the university were summoned to the disciplinary board for other excuses," says Pouryousefi. "We had the same problems while Khatami was in power. The only difference is that Ahmadinejad uses much more violent words."

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to Dictator Cheney", if the President or Veep were willing to address any university campus other than the special cases of Virginia Tech right after the shootings and Brigham Young, the Mormon School in Utah.

Those doing the chanting might find themselves on certain lists, as well: Do Not Fly, Registration and Photo by Secret Service Agents, do not allow in federal buildings, etc.