A girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted by a 34-year-old man she was forced to marry was just 14 at the time, a Melbourne court has heard.
Mohammad Shakir, 34, is accused of having sex with the girl between September 30 and October 1, 2016, following their wedding, which was conducted by former imam Ibrahim Omerdic.
![Former imam Ibrahim Omerdic officiated at the forced marriage.](/web/20170204074124im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/r/2/r/b/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gu54e9.png/1486105594156.jpg)
The ceremony was conducted by ex-imam Ibrahim Omerdic, who also faces charges relating to the illegal marriage.
The girl is in a "fragile state" and has "ongoing health issues", prosecutor Ranjani Padmanabhan told Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.
Mr Shakir appeared at court via video link and was told via an interpreter that the child's mother, stepfather, police and a Department of Health and Human Services representative would give evidence at his committal hearing.
Mr Omerdic, 61, imam of the Bosnian Islamic Society and Noble Park Mosque, was stood down after his November arrest and later sacked.
In January, the Board of Imams Victoria issued a statement against forced and child marriages, saying they are illegal and all Muslims are required to respect Australian law.
Mr Omerdic is charged with engaging in conduct that caused two to enter a forced marriage.
A charge sheet tendered earlier to Melbourne Magistrates Court alleges Mr Omerdic performed the ceremony at the Noble Park mosque on September 29 last year.
Mr Omerdic is on bail while Mr Shakir remains in custody.
The committal hearing is scheduled for April 18.
AAP, with Adam Cooper