13 January 2017

Melbourne Muslim cleric charged over forced marriage of child

A Melbourne Muslim cleric and another man have been charged over the forced marriage of a child.

Imam Ibrahim Omerdic, 61, is charged with conduct that caused a minor to enter into a forced marriage at Noble Park on 29 September last year.

Omerdic appeared in the Melbourne magistrates court on Friday, along with Mohammad Shakir, 34, of Springvale.

Shakir is charged with sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16 and being a party to a forced marriage.

A DVD of the ceremony being conducted at a mosque may form part of the evidence, the court was told.

Omerdic’s bail was continued and Shakir was further remanded in custody until the case resumes on 3 February. [The Guardian] Read more