Bahraini boy due to hear verdict

July 5th is the date scheduled for a verdict in the trial of an 11-year-old Shiite boy who was charged with allegedly blocking a road.

11-year-old Ali Hasan was arrested in May 14th following unrest in the streets of his neighbourhood which is situated outside of the island kingdoms capital Manama. Approached by security forces his friends ran but he -- frozen with fear -- didn't join them and was subsequently arrested and has spent the past month in jail. He was charged for "taking part in a public assembly aimed at disturbing security." The latest news regarding his case (as reported by France 24, TIME and ABC News) state that his verdict will be reached by July 5. Amnesty International has quoted the boys lawyer as stating he was arrested after "police officers stopped the children, threatening to shoot them if they did not do as they were told." Furthermore, Amnesty has stated that he was "interrogated" whilst being moved between "several police stations" and "that during this time he was alone, he became hungry and tired and eventually confessed to accusations against him." Amnesty's statement is consistent with the policies the Bahraini regime has taken against individuals who participated in the peaceful island-wide democratic uprising that began in February of 2011. These regime initiated policies have continually seen to protesters such as Ali being forced to make false confessions under duress.