He strode into a central London courthouse to answer charges relating to an audacious roof top protest in April this year when he and a fellow activist scaled the roof of the Bahrain Embassy in a stand-off that lasted several hours. Despite facing a possible custodial sentence and hefty fine for charges including trespassing on Embassy property, he was unrepentant.

Ali Mushaima and his supporters feel strongly that his actions were political – designed to draw attention to the plight of the Bahraini people. They also wanted to highlight the complicity of governments like the UK’s who, they say, put profits before human rights.

Having previously protested outside the US Embassy and Downing Street, staged several hunger strikes and been on countless demonstrations to highlight the crisis unfolding in Bahrain, Ali Mushaima was being supported at his court appearance by other Bahraini activists who applaud his actions.

After a court appearance that was delayed for several hours, Ali Mushaima emerged with the news that there had been a request for further information including evidence both he and his father had been tortured. Despite the toll of the day’s events, the 29-year old was clear in his stance.

The case has been adjourned until November 5th where new evidence will be presented with a further hearing scheduled for December 6th.