Iranian student activists 'freed'

Student protests have been largely peaceful

By Jim Muir BBC correspondent, Tehran

Iranian student leaders arrested in Tehran on Tuesday are reported to have been released during the night after protests by reformist leaders over their detention.

Aghajari: Sentenced to death for comments about Islam

The students had been active in recent demonstrations, triggered by the death sentence for apostasy passed on the liberal university lecturer, Hashem Aghajari.

The half dozen or so student activists had been picked up by plain-clothes men in unmarked cars.

It was some time before it was established that they had been detained on the orders of a branch of the revolutionary court.

Another cause celebre?

The arrests, as well as angering students, caused outrage in reformist political circles, coming as they did at a time when tensions over the Aghajari case were apparently easing.

	CONSERVATIVES: Leader: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Power: The real power in Iran. Control the hard-line Guardians' Council, which approves all laws, the judiciary and armed forces Where they stand: Committed to Islamic revolution. Opposed to any reduction in their powers and normalisation of relations with the US REFORMISTS: Leader: President Mohammed Khatami Power: Control the parliament and enjoy widespread popular support Where they stand: Back greater democracy, reducing the power of the Guardians' Council, and reform to the legal system Iran: Who holds the power?

High-level representations were made and students say the activists were finally released during the night.

But they have apparently been charged with acting against national security for their part in organising peaceful student protests over the Aghajari death sentence.

They are to appear in court on Saturday.

Depending on how the case is handled, it could become yet another cause celebre for the embattled reformists.

Despite intervention 10 days ago by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, ordering a review of the Aghajari death sentence, there is continuing uncertainty over the fate of the condemned man.

The judiciary has yet to take any further action on the case.

The chief prosecutor has said there will be a review only if Mr Aghajari appeals - which he has so far refused to do.

He has just five days left to decide.