Married a 15-year-old while still wed, and abused her: shocking indictment against a southern resident
An indictment was filed against a 31-year-old resident of the Tel Arad encampment, accused of polygamy, child marriage, and aggravated assault, after marrying a minor of about 15 while already married and father of three. The minor's father, a 62-year-old Rahat resident, is also charged with child marriage. According to the indictment, the defendant acted violently toward the minor, including during her pregnancy, and in one case broke a window, with a shard hitting their baby's head. Another indictment was filed against a 29-year-old Rahat resident for polygamy.
An indictment was filed this morning (Tuesday) against a 31-year-old resident of the Tel Arad encampment, accused of polygamy, child marriage, aggravated assault, intentional damage, and assaulting a helpless minor. According to the indictment, he married a minor of about 15 in 2023, while already married and father of three children. The minor's father, a 62-year-old Rahat resident, is also charged with child marriage, after agreeing to the marriage and taking part in organizing the wedding. After the marriage, the minor moved into his family's home, and a daughter was born to them. The defendant acted violently toward her on several occasions, including during her pregnancy: he slapped her, pulled her hair, threw her to the floor, and broke her mobile phone when she tried to call the police. In another case, after the birth of their daughter, he broke the house window, and a shard hit the baby's head. Later, he pushed her and slapped her face, and she fled with the baby and called the police. In another indictment, a 29-year-old Rahat resident is accused of polygamy and unlawful detention, after marrying a relative who is a resident of the Palestinian Authority in Tulkarm.