In 2012, the Bahraini government imprisoned human rights activist and opposition leader Nabeel Rajab  for criticizing King Al Khalifah’s involvement in the Saudi-led military campaign against Yemen.

Rajab is charged with “spreading false news and insulting a foreign state and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior.” He could be jailed for up to 15 years.

Ahead of Rajab’s trial on Thursday, we get the latest on his case and the state of human rights in Bahrain from Beth Ann Toupin, Amnesty International USA’s country specialist for Iraq and Bahrain and Maytham Al Salman, Nabeel Rajab’s cousin and spokesperson.