Man, 70, marries 15-year-old in Saudi Arabia
CNN interviewed the man, who said the girl's parents sold her to him for the equivalent of $20,000.
The marriage came to light when the man complained to a local official, saying the girl's family had taken her back and he'd been ripped off.
He refused to provide his name to CNN.
His account is countered by human rights workers looking into the case.
They believe there was a fight between the teen and the man, and she ran back to her family.
Her father is believed to be Yemeni, her mother Saudi.
She is from Al-Hurath village in Jizan province, in southwestern Saudi Arabia near the border with Yemen.
That's according to Dr. Hadi Al-Yami, the head of the Asir branch of the Human Rights Commission, a Saudi government supported organization.
The commission sent an investigator to the courthouse in Al-Hurath, Al-Yami said.
The organization is planning to offer the girl as much help as she's able to receive, particularly legal help in case the courts require her to formally dispute the marriage.
Some groups, such as the HRC, advocate for setting a minimum age for marriage, though they have not said what age.
The group proposes that anyone younger than 18 who wants to get married should get a court's consent.
Extremely conservative religious scholars have opposed a law that would govern the age to marry.
Messages on social media reflect frustration with the opposition.
Prominent Egyptian activist Mona Eltahawy tweeted, “It's only when there's enough public outrage that we can fight #childmarriage. We are not angry enough to help that 15 y/o & others like her.â€
Dr. Suhaila Zein al-Abedin, a member of the Saudi National Association for Human Rights, also government-backed, is outraged about the case.
“When you consider the very large difference in age, it looks more like this was not a marriage, but like the girl was sold,†al-Abedin said. “The girl's parents need to be held responsible for this.â€
Comments
last commentIt is interesting that there is a shit storm brewing over this - perhaps Arab Spring will come to Saudi Arabia too. So sad gas doesn't store so well.
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They'll end up stoning the girl for running away from her rightful master, er, husband.
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Did Shadowcat list Dougster for sale on Ebay again?
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WHO would want to spend EVEN 1¢ to buy him gatorfan?
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Not to worry vince. I'll be 71 on Sunday. So I'll be passed the danger year. :)
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I know Shadowcat and Shadowcat would never knowingly fuck any 15 year-old.
Unless they were a dancer at Follies. (LOL!!!!!!!!!!)
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Happy bday Shadow
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Shadowcat, hope you have a great B day and enjoy it with your favorite dancer, or at least one a third of your age.
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Corvus -_I plan to on Saturday. Sunday is for family.
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I growing weary of many of the customs and practices found in middle eastern culture and justified in the name of religion.
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GOOD, Shadowcat !!
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