Spanish police rescue girl sold for marriage by parents

Spain police said Wednesday they had rescued an 11-

year-old girl who was repeatedly raped and beaten

after she was sold by her parents for marriage for

17,000 euros ($18,500).

Police detained five people from the two families

involved and charged them with human trafficking,

sexual abuse, rape, abuse and labour exploitation,

they said in a statement.

Police said they began their investigation after

learning that in May 2014 “a minor was sold by her

parents for 17,000 euros with the goal of

contracting marriage at an engagement party in

Romania.”

The girl, who lived with her parents in the southern

city of Seville, was mistreated as soon as she

arrived in Valladolid in the north to live with her

husband-to-be and his family, the statement

added.

“They would constantly insult, threaten and hit

her, and force her to have sex” with her future

husband and forced her to pick grapes and

potatoes without receiving any pay, it added.

Police said the girl called her mother for help but

the family to which she was sold demanded 10,000

euros to let her go.

It was only after they noticed police were

monitoring them that they put her on a bus bound

for Seville to be reunited with her parents.

Police did not provide details on those arrested but

Spanish media said they included her parents and

the parents of her intended.

Last month, police said they arrested a Romanian

father accused of trying to sell his week-old

daughter for 5,000 euros ($5,410). The infant was

taken away from her parents and placed in foster

care.