2024-02-28 18:02:37
A 12-year-old girl was allegedly sold into forced marriage for the sum of 3,000 euros ($3,250) by her parents in Spain, DPA reported.
The child’s mother and stepfather were arrested in mid-February in the town of Malagon, which is about 150 km south of Madrid, state-run Spanish Radio and Television (RTVE) reported today, citing the Civil Guard police force.
The girl was found a few days later in Baza, a town in Andalusia, about 200 km from his parents’ home. She was taken to a safe place, just before the forced marriage with a 17-year-old boy, claims the media quoted by BTA.
The girl’s mother denied the allegations and said her daughter wanted to “go to her friend”.
The police confirmed to DPA the arrest of the parents.
Law enforcement agencies acted on a tip received from a neighbor of the parents in Malagon, RTVE reported.
“The little girl was my son’s best friend… She was beaten by her mother and once asked me for help, telling me everything,” said the neighbor in an interview with RTVE. The girl was afraid of her mother and was “always crying and shaking”.
The neighbor said she had reported violence against the girl to the police before. She also informed the Civil Guard about his disappearance. “The police then act very quickly,” the woman said.