He became politically active during the 1960s, when he organized a teachers union in Tehran. The established system under the Shah became aware of his political activities and he was subsequently imprisoned in 1975. Thanks to the intervention of International Red Cross, Ali Shirasi was released from prison in 1978. His real struggle began in the wake of the “Islamic Revolution” under Khomeini, when he was imprisoned in Evin and tortured. As a consequence of his treatment in Evin prison, Mr Shirasi suffered several health complications and was temporarily released to receive medical treatment. During this time he fled Iran and since 1987 lives in Germany. He is a poet, writer and ambassador of Iranian arts and culture.