Arab News reports that the latest instance of a child marriage in the Kingdom is drawing legal attention. The judge who performed the marriage is on his way to official suspension, the paper says, and another court is looking into annulling the marriage.
Official in child bride case faces suspension
Walaa Hawari | Arab NewsRIYADH: A source at the governmental Human Rights Commission informed Arab News on Saturday that the marriage official who authorized the marriage of a 12-year-old girl and an 80-year-old man will be suspended.
The HRC said the man officiated the marriage in Buraidah without the girl’s consent or even checking her age.
The official denied in a local newspaper that he violated any regulations and that he has not been provided any instructions on marrying girls of her age.
The case had stirred many concerns in the Saudi society, as the father of the 12-year-old girl married her off to his 80-year-old cousin in exchange for an SR85,000 dowry.
According to Al-Riyadh newspaper, the father claims he based his judgment on the child’s physical development and not her age. The girl’s mother was against the marriage, but had no say in the matter, according to the report.
Meanwhile, a court in Buraidah is looking into the annulment of the marriage. An announcement is reportedly to be made on Monday.
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January:24:2010 - 11:31
I hope the annulment really happens and the girl is able to lead a normal life afterwards.
January:25:2010 - 22:37
It seems the groom didn’t seek her, but the father of the girl himself urged him to take her. At least that’s what one Saudi blogger writes.