MANAMA, Bahrain, July 5 (UPI) -- An 11-year-old boy accused of protesting in Bahrain will not receive jail time, a judge ruled.
Ali Hasan was arrested May 14 and was accused of participating in an "illegal gathering" with about 12 other people, CNN reported.
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A judge ruled Thursday Hasan was free to go home and would not face jail time, said Luma Bashmi, spokeswoman for the president's office.
Bahrain has been criticized by rights groups for its crackdown on anti-government protests that started in February 2011.
Protesters and Bahraini authorities have been at odds since then, with the opposition accusing the government of using excessive force against protesters.
