Fact Check: Ukrainian child bride was not harmed during the mock wedding event.

Fact Check: "Ukrainian child bride was not harmed during the mock wedding event."

What We Know

A recent incident involving a mock wedding at Disneyland Paris has raised significant concerns. The event was organized by Jacky Jhaj, a 39-year-old British man with a history of sexual offenses against minors. He was arrested after Disneyland Paris staff were alerted by an actor hired to play the father of the bride, who realized that the "bride" was a nine-year-old Ukrainian girl (BBC News).

French prosecutors have confirmed that the girl had arrived in France two days prior to the event and stated that she had not been a victim of either physical or sexual violence. The prosecutor emphasized that she had not been "forced to play the role" of the bride (BBC News). The event was reportedly intended to be filmed, and around 100 French extras were recruited for the ceremony (USA Today).

Analysis

The claim that the Ukrainian child bride was not harmed during the mock wedding is supported by statements from French prosecutors, who explicitly noted that the girl was not subjected to any physical or sexual violence and was not coerced into participating in the event (BBC News). This assertion is crucial in evaluating the overall context of the incident.

However, the reliability of the sources reporting this information is essential. The primary sources include reputable news organizations such as the BBC and USA Today, both of which have a track record of journalistic integrity. The BBC, in particular, has conducted extensive investigations into Jhaj's activities, highlighting his previous offenses and the elaborate nature of his productions involving children (BBC News).

While the situation is alarming due to the involvement of a convicted sex offender and the nature of the event, the specific claim regarding the lack of harm to the child is corroborated by official statements from authorities. It is also important to note that the incident has sparked significant public outrage and concern, which may influence the narrative surrounding it.

Conclusion

The verdict on the claim that the "Ukrainian child bride was not harmed during the mock wedding event" is True. The evidence provided by French prosecutors indicates that the child was not subjected to harm or coercion during the event. While the circumstances surrounding the mock wedding are deeply troubling due to the organizer's criminal background, the specific claim regarding the child's safety is supported by credible sources.

Fact Check: Ukrainian child bride was not harmed during the mock wedding event.