TEHRAN - Majlis representatives expressed regret over the acquittal of some 15 plain-clothed vigilantes who have been suspected of raiding Tehran dormitory in July 1999.

A group of 159 MPs signed a letter, in which they voiced dissatisfaction over the issue to the Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi. In the petition, the deputies said the crime, which claimed one life, had one eye gouged out and bones broken, and oppressed students thrown out of the building has not healed the old wounds after two years.

"On the other hand, students and university officials have been jailed or put on trial so that we can claim the defendant and the plaintiff have been replaced," it said.

The 15 plain-clothed agents, accused of attacking local universities, were acquitted on charges of acting against state security and therefore freed.

The attack on the university dormitory in July 1999 sparked some of the worst unrest in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The incident engulfed Tehran in days of clashes during which one person was killed and several others injured.

"While the public opinion expected the Judiciary officials to bring the perpetrators of this violent incident to justice, regretfully, the old wounds were re-opened," the letter said, adding, "The tribunal established for the perpetrators was in flagrant contradiction to the religion and justice."

"We ask you to not let the detrimental consequences of such behaviors lead people to lose confidence in the Judiciary and warn that a mass arrest in the anniversary of the incident this year will hurt public sentiments," it said.

Some 85 people, including 25 students, were arrested on July 9 at the second anniversary of incident.