Fact Check: The nine-year-old bride was not harmed during the mock wedding.

Fact Check: "The nine-year-old bride was not harmed during the mock wedding."

What We Know

Recent reports have emerged regarding a mock wedding involving a nine-year-old Ukrainian girl at Disneyland Paris. French prosecutors have confirmed that the girl, who arrived in France just two days prior to the event, was not a victim of physical or sexual violence and was not coerced into participating in the ceremony (BBC). The prosecutor, Jean-Baptiste Bladier, stated that the girl had not been "forced to play the role" of bride (New York Times).

The incident involved a British man, a convicted sex offender, who had organized the event and was arrested shortly after staff at Disneyland Paris alerted the police upon realizing the nature of the wedding (The Guardian). The event was intended to be a private filming and involved around 100 extras, with the main suspect reportedly using a fake identity to book the venue (BBC).

Analysis

The claim that the nine-year-old bride was not harmed during the mock wedding is supported by multiple credible sources. Prosecutor Jean-Baptiste Bladier's statement explicitly mentions that the girl was not a victim of violence and had not been forced into the situation (BBC). This assertion is crucial as it directly addresses concerns regarding the welfare of the child involved.

Furthermore, the context of the event indicates that while it was indeed a disturbing and inappropriate setup, the girl was not subjected to any physical harm. A witness who was hired for the event expressed shock upon realizing the bride was a child, but there is no indication that the girl experienced any form of abuse during the incident (New York Times).

The sources reporting on this incident, including the BBC, The Guardian, and The New York Times, are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic standards. They provide detailed accounts from official statements and eyewitnesses, which enhances the reliability of the information presented.

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The claim that "the nine-year-old bride was not harmed during the mock wedding" is substantiated by credible statements from French prosecutors and corroborated by multiple news reports. While the circumstances surrounding the event are deeply troubling, the evidence indicates that the child was not physically or sexually harmed.