Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ said that the proposed bill on underage marriage is being withdrawn over the harsh reactions based on misunderstanding.
"The bill didn't intend to protect any single rapist. However, the clause caused misunderstandings; so we decided to withdraw the clause," minister said.
Previously, on Tuesday, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said the plan aims to remedy the situation of men who are in jail and are married to women under 18 in a religious ceremony and with the consent of their family.
The legal age for marriage in Turkey is 17, but under Civil Code Article 124, a judge can allow a 16-year-old to marry.
In cases of sexual abuse where the victim is under 12, the minimum prison sentence is 10 years, and for victims aged 12 to 18, the sentence is eight to 15 years.
The minimum jail term for raping someone under 12 is 18 years; and for raping someone aged 12 to 18, the term is 16 years.
