Today Muhammad Rabbani, director of Cage UK, stood trial at Westminster Magistrates Court in London after refusing to hand over his passwords at UK border control. Back in November Rabbani was flying back to London Heathrow and was stopped by border control under the Terrorism act, he was arrested and asked for his phone and laptop passwords.

Calling it a “digital strip search” Rabbani refused and was subsequently charged with ‘wilfully obstructing or seeking to frustrate a search under the Terrorism Act 2000’.

He stated that as well as not violating his own privacy, he was trying to protect sensitive footage of a torture victim and carrying out his duty of care.

“I am an anti-torture advocate. I declined in order to protect a survivor of torture and the material he entrusted to me. I am now being threatened with prison because Schedule 7 powers allow innocent travellers to be harassed and be digitally strip-searched Most of the time, Muslims and ethnic minorities are targeted.”

‘Only five people were charged last year out of 19,000 stop-and-searches at the border and one of those was me.

‘It is clear that the overwhelming majority of people are totally innocent and are being subjected to a deeply intrusive process for no reason.’

It has now been confirmed that Muhammad Rabbani has lost his case.

BREAKING Our Director Muhammad Rabbani loses legal case to protect the confidential data of a survivor of torture. #RightToPrivacy #Free2Fly

— CAGE (@UK_CAGE) September 25, 2017

Whilst the judge believes that Rabbani was protecting client confidentiality, legislation meant a guilty verdict was to be issued.

Rabbani will today walk out of court with his head held high and welcomed by a crowd of congratulating supporters.

— CAGE (@UK_CAGE) September 25, 2017

.@UK_CAGE's Moazzam Begg speaks at 'solidarity meeting' for Muhammad Rabbani during his trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court. pic.twitter.com/Nnie9BGZxS

— Greg Wilford (@Greg_Wilford) September 25, 2017

My thoughts today with Mohammad Rabbani, fighting for our rights in Westminster today at 12pm. pic.twitter.com/suosDW1lQE

— Sahar Al-Faifi (@SaharAlFaifi) September 25, 2017

Powerful pictures of supporters of the Rabbani case praying outside the Magistrates Court.

May Allah grant victory to the believers. pic.twitter.com/KSxJS6w7X6

— AQ (@AbuQina) September 25, 2017

"Courage breeds courage. Those here are a testament to it." #Schedule7 #RightToPrivacy by @UK_CAGE pic.twitter.com/xiFShWHQda

— Amaliah (@Amaliah_Tweets) September 25, 2017