Ali Ardalan was one of more than 20 people arrested in June 1990 in Iran for signing an open letter to the head of state, President Rafsanjani, criticising Iranian government policies. Many were subsequently released but Ali Ardalan and eight others were brought to trial recently. Ali Ardalan has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and 20 lashes, although it is not known if the latter punishment has been carried out. He is aged 75 and is in serious ill-health.
