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RAMALLAH, January 9, 2014 (WAFA) – The Israeli authorities indicted a 12-year-old boy from the town of Hizma, east of Jerusalem, the Palestine branch of Defense of Children International (DCI) said Thursday.

It said Israeli forces arrested Mustafa Khatib, a sixth grade student, on January 6 and remanded him in prison for three days until charges could be filed against him.

DCI attorney, Iyad Mesk, challenged the military prosecutor’s request at Ofer military court near Ramallah and asked for the immediate release of Khatib.

However, the court rejected the request and gave the prosecutor a period of two days to prepare an indictment.

According to the statement, the prosecutor asked to keep Khatib in prison for two months in addition to paying a fine ranging between $600 and $1200.

Nevertheless, after Mesk presented his defense of Khatib, the court agreed to release him on a $3000 bail on condition he will be under house arrest until his trial except for the time he should be in school.

The court also gave the military prosecutor 72 hours to appeal the verdict.

Mesk said the court usually sets high bails knowing that the families cannot afford it, which means a delay in the release of the child.

M.N./M.S.