By Mohammed Saud

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Justice Minister Walid Bin Mohammed Al-Samaani has directed officials in his ministry to annul the marriage of a minor girl in Sarat Obaida in Asir province and to punish the mazoun, or marriage officiator, who allowed the marriage to go ahead for violating the child protection law.

According to sources at the ministry, the director of the department of mazouns, requested the head of the General Court in Sarat Obaida not to authenticate the marriage contract, which he said should be considered as null and void.

Saudi Arabia›s child protection law stipulates that no marriage contract can be signed if the groom or the bride is less than 18 years of age.

The ministry, in a circular, had asked all mazouns not to perform marriages of minor males and females and they must refer the matter to the general court in their respective region in special cases.