On February 12, Amir Mohammad Khaleghi, a 19-year-old student at the University of Tehran, was making his way back to the university’s dormitory when he was confronted by a duo of cyclist thieves, making for a difficult attempt at self-defense. He was struck with a knife carried by the thieves in his shoulder, flank, and chest multiple times. He was swiftly transferred to Shariati Hospital and passed away due to the injuries sustained.
This event sparked a massive student-led protest at the University of Tehran, criticizing the incompetence of law enforcement agencies and the university’s security in providing a safe environment for students on campus. Students stated that they had been victims of violent thefts in the same area numerous times before. Four students were arrested on the first night of the protest; however, with the insistence of the students, all four of them were released shortly. The Ministry of Science released a statement days later indicating that no student is under arrest at the moment. Polytechnic University of Tehran and Sharif University of Technology also released statements in sympathy with the family of the murdered student.
The Tehran Police Department receives an annual budget of approximately 22 billion dollars each year. According to unofficial records, the department has at least 22 thousand active-duty personnel. Despite this, the capital of Iran remains one of the most crime-prone cities in the country. Economic instability and a deteriorating job market in recent years have become an unfounded excuse for outlaws and criminals to threaten people’s lives and property. The infamous robbery style of duo cyclists, while being armed with machetes and knives, is not a new phenomenon in Tehran. Horrifying videos go viral on social platforms daily, showcasing thefts as the victims remain helpless, witnessing their belongings being stolen.
The energy crisis during the cold season in Iran, as a consequence of insufficient fuel in the power plants to burn and generate electricity, has made passages dark and unsafe. Even when there isn’t a blackout, the low-pressure sodium lamps lighting the streets do not produce enough light, causing low visibility for pedestrians and creating perfect ambush spots for thieves. Zakani, mayor of Tehran, announced in September 2023 that all the city lights would be replaced by LED lighting to provide better visibility and lower electricity consumption. To this day, only 10 thousand out of the 380 thousand lamps have been replaced. University of Tehran students complained multiple times about the lack of proper lighting in surrounding areas around the dormitory, but no serious measures were taken to ensure their safety.
The supervisor of the University of Tehran said during an interview with IRIB news, “We have had repeated incidents in the past for our students. Unfortunately, the latest incident led to murder, and what happened to our student was the most tragic event possible.” He added, “The university has its actions to ensure safety for students, but today’s incident led to this point, and we are now embarrassed.”
Following the murder of Khaleghi, Mohammad Reza Aref, vice president, ordered the immediate follow-up on the matter. He demanded that a transparent report be made to calm public opinion. Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehei, head of the Supreme Court, also stated that such investigations should not take long to occupy the minds of society. He demanded a “firm and sure” court ruling.
Farshad Ibrahim Poor, vice chairman of the Commission of Education at Parliament, stated that the “most important measure as of now is the installation of a smart surveillance system around all the campuses for students’ safety.” He added, “We also expect the police to increase efforts in patrolling the streets at night.”
Khaleghi was buried in his hometown in Southern Khorasan province on February 15. The Supreme Court spokesperson announced on February 16 that the perpetrators were arrested and are under investigation.
Written by Mohammad Amin
