Iran: Islamic Police Units Have Begun Violent Crack Down on Anti-Regime Demonstrators

March 17, 2004

The Islamic republic regime's anti-riot units and plainclothes men began a crack down last night against anti-regime demonstrators in southern Tehran, Esfahan's Tchahr Bagh and the city of Mashad.

Regime forces are said to be using knives, clubs and chains against the demonstrators. There are unconfirmed reports that regime forces are using plastic bullets in Esfahan and the Sadeghieh square of Tehran.

Several demonstrators have been badly wounded, but according to reports some demonstrators are striking back with Molotov cocktails.

Earlier, regime forces pulled back from the demonstrators in several Iranian cities, such as, Tehran, Abadan, Shiraz, Bookan, Babolsar, Khoram-Shahr, Sannandaj, Bandar Abbas and Zahedan.

Fires have been set in many cities and many residents have throwned pictures of the regime's leaders and its founder, Rooh-Ollah Khomeini, into the fire while chanting and dancing.