THIS is the concerning moment an eight-year-old groom reportedly has his first dance after an illegal arranged marriage to a 13-year-old girl.
Shocking footage out of Russia shows the teenage girl in a flowing white wedding dress leading a slow dance with the underage boy as dozens of smiling people watch on.
This is the shocking moment an eight-year-old groom is reportedly seen during his first dance after an illegal arranged marriage to a 13-year-old girlNewsflash
At one point the teenager even positions the boy’s arm in place up in the air as she ducks underneath and spinsNewsflash
The couple were watched on by dozens of people believed to be family membersNewsflash
Local reports said the video went viral online and caused outrage among Russians for the illegal and unfair practice.
The young boy, in navy trousers and a matching blazer, appears to be despondent in the short clip.
His apparent bride looks equally as disheartened as she towers over the small child.
At one point the teenager even positions the boy’s arm in place up in the air as she ducks underneath and spins.
The child is pulled forwards and slightly stumbles due to the uncomfortable size difference.
The dance is made even more worrying as the pair awkwardly circle around clouds of smoke that have been blown onto the floor.
Flashing multi-coloured lights and sparklers are let off during the dance as they awkwardly glance over at their guests.
Those sat watching range from even younger children perched on their mum’s laps to elderly women and men.
Some stand up and dance themselves as others simply smile or clap along.
A four-tier cake and dozens of bottles of drink can also be seen in the background.
The wedding reportedly took place in Astrakhan and was organised by the unnamed boy’s future mother-in-law.
Both families were a part of the traveller or Roma community, local media claimed.
Nina Ostanina, chair of the State Duma Committee on Family Protection, Fatherhood, Motherhood and Childhood, was left angered by the footage.
She said: “These same children, becoming adults, are simultaneously citizens of the Russian Federation, and must live according to our Russian laws.
“We punish parents who are not in Roma families if they do not raise their children properly.”
The minimum legal age to get married in Russia is 18 for both men and women.
Local authorities are allowed to authorise the marriage of those aged
16 in certain circumstances if it is agreed beforehand.
It comes just days after Iraq effectively legalised child marriage, with girls as young as nine being able to marry after amendments to decades old laws.
The change caused protests to erupt as many tried to prevent its “disastrous effects”.
NewsflashSparklers even went off during the reported first dance[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
