Arranged marriage fight leads to criminal charges

Edmonton police hate crimes unit have charged a 53-year-old man and a 63-year-old womanfollowing a family fight over the forced arranged marriage of a young woman.

Police will not confirm whether the accused are the parents of the woman.

Policebelieve the 21-year-old woman was being held inthe house in anticipation of an arranged marriage to a man outside the country.

Officerswere called to the south Edmontonhome late on the night of Feb.6to deal with a family dispute.

Theyfound thewoman had beenassaulted and was being confined to the home against her will, said police.

The hate crimes unit, which investigates filesinvolving race, religion and culture, have since charged the manwith two counts of assault with a weapon, forcible confinement, and assault.

The woman ischarged with forcible confinement and assault.

The twowill appear incourt Dec. 19.