Palestinian activist detained on the orders of home secretary Theresa May after flying into Britain to speak to politicians is to be freed on bail by a high court judge pending the outcome of legal challenges. Sheikh Raed Salah, 52, is challenging the home secretary's decision to detain him in London in late June and wanted to be freed on bail pending the outcome of court proceedings. awyers representing Salah – leader of the Islamic Movement in Israel – told Mr Justice Stadlen during a hearing in London that he did not pose a security risk and should not be held in custody. Home Office lawyers opposed the bail application. Salah will stay in custody until late on Monday to allow Home Office officials to carry out checks on the address in London where he will stay while on bail.
Earlier, as the hearing got under way at the Royal Courts of Justice, a group of 50 people protested peacefully outside, calling on the British authorities to grant bail.
A previous demand last week had been refused.
"We are shocked and horrified that a Palestinian leader can be held like this," Sarah Colborne, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, told Al Jazeera.
"They gave no valid reason why bail was denied last week."
The arrest of Salah has drawn condemnation from Palestinian leaders across the political spectrum.
Most recently, the Arab League condemned the British government for the arrest in a statement, as reported by Press TV on Friday.
The League called for his immediate and unconditional release, stating that it had received the news of the arrest "with considerable shock and surprise".
The case has raised questions about UK's security policy, and the decision-making process that determines which foreigners will and will not be prevented from visiting.
The UK interior ministry has said there was a ban order on Salah, but has not confirm when or why it was imposed.
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