The nine month old baby cries as his hand is dipped in black ink and pressed onto a bail bond agreement.
Moments before, the child sucked nervously on his bottle of formula as he appeared before the court facing charges of attempted murder of a policeman, conspiracy to commit murder, threatening a police team and interfering in state affairs.
Under Pakistani law, the infant may be imprisoned for life, placed in an orphanage, or even sentenced to death.
Mohammad Musa Khan was arrested along with his father and grandfather after a protest against gas cuts and price increases.
The boy's grandfather, Muhammad Yasin, said, "The police are vindictive. Now they are trying to settle the issue on personal grounds."
An assistant sub-inspector complained in a crime report that during the protest, Musa's whole family had beaten him up and injured his head while throwing stones.
Despite the chaotic surroundings, Musa managed a smile and grabbed at the microphones as his grandfather held him while talking to reporters.
"He does not even know how to pick up his milk bottle properly, how can he stone the police?" Yasin asked journalists at the court last Thursday.
International attention has once again focused the spotlight on Pakistan's poorly trained and underpaid police who are frequently accused of corruption and human rights abuses. Many are not even qualified to write a crime report. The story went viral on the internet when authorities took the boy into custody.
Under worldwide pressure, the provincial law minister, Rana Sanaullah Khan, ordered an investigation into the charges against Musa. One police officer has been suspended, and he has directed police authorities to take action against the officials who booked the infant.
Meanwhile, the baby is due to appear at his next court hearing on April 12th, but the child has been hidden for his own protection. If Musa fails to appear, his bond could be forfeited, and a warrant could be issued for his arrest, making him the youngest (and cutest) fugitive on Earth.
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