Ali Shariati is a graduate in architecture. He was first arrested on February 14, 2011, when Iranians who protested the 2009 elections were expressing solidarity with the Tunisian popular uprisings. He stayed in Evin's solitary confinement for a month. In his trial he was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment and lashing. Later it was reduced to a year, and the lashing was forgiven. He was released after eight months.