Baku: Aynur Osmanova, Head of the Legal Support and Human Rights Department of the Prosecutor General's Office, emphasized the legal implications of conducting religious marriage ceremonies with minors during a live broadcast on Instagram, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Osmanova highlighted that regulating early marriage remains a key priority of Azerbaijan's state policy. She announced the abolition of the provision that allowed the marriage age to be lowered by one year, solidifying the legal marriage age at 18 for both sexes. She further clarified that holding a religious marriage ceremony does not absolve individuals of legal responsibility. The Code of Administrative Offences stipulates fines for those involved in conducting religious marriage ceremonies with minors, reinforcing the state's stance against underage marriages.