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Vic child bride was 14 years old: court

A Melbourne man has faced court over the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl following their wedding.

The Melbourne Magistrates Court

A girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man she was forced to marry was just 14 years old. (AAP)

A girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man she was forced to marry was just 14 years old at the time, a Melbourne court has heard.

Mohammad Shakir, 34, is accused of having sex with the girl between September 30 and October 1, 2016, following their wedding.

The ceremony was conducted by ex-imam Ibrahim Omerdic, who also faces charges relating to the illegal marriage.

The girl is in a "fragile state" and has "ongoing health issues", prosecutor Ranjani Padmanabhan told Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.

Shakir appeared at court via video link and was told via an interpreter that the child's mother, stepfather, police and a Department of Health and Human Services representative would give evidence at his committal hearing.

Omerdic, 61, imam of the Bosnian Islamic Society and Noble Park Mosque, was stood down after his November arrest and later sacked.

In January, the Board of Imams Victoria issued a statement against forced and child marriages, saying they are illegal and all Muslims are required to respect Australian law.

Omerdic is on bail while Shakir remains in custody.

The committal hearing is scheduled for April 18.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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