A Pakistani Muslim Imam was charged with carrying out an illegal marriage between 26 years old man while the bride was just a 12 years old girl.
The husband, a Lebanese national was arrested under the case of child sex offences. According to Police a Pakistan-born imam was being arrested in Sydney by Child Abuse Squad. He was charged with solemnisation of marriage by unauthorised personnel.
Later the imam was granted a strict conditional bail and directed strictly to appear in court on 2nd of April 2014.
Police revealed the story that the Lebanese man was present in Australia on a student visa. He met with a 12 years old girl in Hunter region situated in North of Sydney back in 2013. Allegedly he was involved in sexual relationship with this 12 years old girl.
Police claimed that the couple then shifted to Sydney and continued to be in relationship. Police also claimed that the man and the child were married in Islamic way solemnized by Pakistani Imam.
It merits mentioning here that child marriages are common in various parts of the world but in Australia, both the parties wanting to get married must be a minimum of 18 years old before they could tie the knot.
In this particular case, the “Husband” has been charged with 25 counts of sexual intercourse with the 12 years old girl and he is still in police custody.
Police sources said that although at present time, parents of the girl are not charged but investigations are still in progress.
