Tehran - The academic scene of Islamic Iran is facing a scandal after the vice-dean of the university of Zanjan in north- western Iran has allegedly sexually abused a female student, the Tehran daily Etemad reported.

After the abuse case emerged, students forced their way into the vice-dean's office and handed him over to security personnel.

The vice-dean was reportedly questioning the female student last week in his office over an immoral conduct charge when he himself forced her to have sex.

The incident is said to have been both audio- and video-taped, the report said.

Students of the university have been holding a sit-in protest at the university since last Saturday to demand resignation of the entire university board.

Moral conduct is one of the main demands made to students by Iranian education authorities, so allegations of sexual abuse by a leading university official are an embarrassment to the Ministry of Higher Education.

Sexual relations between unmarried couples is forbidden in Iran and offenders could face harsh penalties.

Islamic law has also no mercy with rapists and most of them face the death sentence.

But if the rapist is also married, the sentence would be stoning to death under the condition however that the act has been witnessed. (dpa)