Melbourne imam Ibrahim Omerdic charged with conducting marriage ceremony involving child bride

From the Herald Sun

A CHILD bride was raped by her husband after being forced into marriage by a prominent Melbourne imam, police allege. The girl, aged under 16, was allegedly married in a traditional Islamic ceremony by prominent cleric Ibrahim Omerdic.

Is is alleged that in the days after the wedding last year the girl was raped by her husband.

The man, who cannot be named, is currently behind bars on remand after being charged with sexual penetration of a child under 16 and forcing the girl into marriage. He appeared via videolink at the Melbourne Magistrates Court today where he broke down in tears several times.

Sheik Omerdic, who is on bail, also appeared in court facing a single charge over the alleged marriage. Court documents allege he engaged in conduct that “caused another person … to enter into a forced marriage.” Sheik Omerdic is the imam of the Bosnian mosque in Noble Park where it is understood the marriage took place.

Both men will reappear in court next month.