A 15-year-old Christian girl in Pakistan has been reunited with her family after five months in captivity.
While held, she was reportedly forcibly converted, married to a 29-year-old man and raped, resulting in pregnancy.
The girl, whose name is withheld, was taken from her aunt’s home in Punjab and subjected to a fake Islamic marriage to conceal her abduction and assault, as reported by The Christian Post.
Her lawyer, Hanif Hameed, explained: “After 12 days, the police informed the Masih family that their daughter had converted to Islam and married Anees with her free will. However, when we saw the conversion and marriage certificates... both documents were fabricated.”
He added: “This is a clear case of false conversion and fake marriage to cover the crime of abduction and rape.”
After police failed to act, the family turned to the courts, which eventually ordered her recovery.
Three suspects are now in custody; others are being sought.
The lawyer is pursuing charges of rape, forced conversion and child marriage, saying: “The law must take its full course against the accused... all those involved... must be sternly punished to make them an example for others.”