The young man suspected of marrying a 14-and-a-half-year-old girl was questioned by the police with a warning.

December 14, 2020   

The Israel Police questioned a young man yesterday (Sunday) under caution on suspicion of unlawfully carrying a girl. Aharon from Beit Shemesh receives 6,400 shekels every month because of depression. Maybe you deserve it too?  At the same time, the minor was interrogated and was later transferred to the care of social services in Jerusalem. These are members of the 'Shuvu Banim' community. The suspect, 23, was located yesterday and brought in for questioning by the police as part of an investigation that has been ongoing over the past week following information received by the police that the suspect was about to marry a girl before she turned 15. In parallel with his interrogation, the 14-and-a-half-year-old minor was also interrogated yesterday and, at the end of her interrogation, was transferred to the social services in the Jerusalem municipality for further treatment. The young man was released by the court on conditions. As part of these suspicions, the minor's father and mother and other individuals suspected of being involved in the affair were also interrogated last week. Last Thursday, it was reported that the police arrested the girl's parents after it was learned that she had sex with the 23-year-old man on Wednesday. The investigation into the affair was opened after the police and social services received information last week about the girl's intention to marry, and a warning call was even held for the parents on Wednesday. However, on Wednesday evening, news was received that the wedding had already taken place. The mother was released to house arrest. Women's rights activists in Haredi society and those against underage marriages contacted the authorities and led to the revelation of the case. The Zion police made many efforts to locate the girl and the young man and the wedding venue - but they failed. However, the owner of the hall where the wedding was supposed to take place was contacted and he canceled the event. Last night, as mentioned, the young man and the girl were questioned. Underage marriage is strictly prohibited in Israel up to the age of 16. The law states that parents or anyone who marries a minor under the age of 16 are subject to a sentence of up to two years in prison.