ZARDAB, September 3
Police and child protection officials in Azerbaijan have stopped a planned wedding between a 32-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl in the Zardab district, underscoring the government’s zero-tolerance stance toward underage marriages.
According to Teymur Mardanoglu, spokesman for the State Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Issues, authorities received a tip-off about the upcoming wedding at the “Natiq” banquet hall. An immediate investigation confirmed the bride’s age and led to swift intervention.
“The parents of both sides were informed that such marriages are strictly prohibited under Azerbaijani law,” Mardanoglu said.
As a result, the ceremony was canceled. Police issued fines of 1,000 manats to the parents and 1,500 manats to the hall owner, who allowed the event to go ahead despite legal restrictions.
Child marriage is illegal in Azerbaijan, where the minimum legal age for marriage is 18. Authorities have tightened enforcement in recent years, aligning with international conventions to protect children’s rights. While cases of attempted underage marriages still surface in rural areas, they are increasingly being met with legal consequences and public awareness campaigns.
