Teen gets 3 years in jail

The High Criminal Court sentenced a 17-year-old to three years behind bars for planting a fake bomb in Manama. The hoax caused panic near Bab Al Bahrain, a landmark located in Bahrain's capital.

The convicted teenager was reportedly among the miscreants who rioted before placing the fake explosive device.

He told prosecutors that he was asked to join the riot by someone who was in contact with him on BlackBerry Messenger.

"He revealed their intention to riot and when I joined, I found 11 masked men with me. I couldn't recognise any of the rioters who were with me,” he said.

"There were tyres and a bottle of petrol, besides firebombs and a strange object. We went close to Bab Al Bahrain and torched the tyres. We then placed the object before fleeing the scene,” he added.

The event occurred on October 19 last year, and the accused was convicted of arson and rioting.