Denmark: Polygamist wants to move to England

Two weeks ago the Danish Family Services decided that an Iraqi interpreter will have to terminate one marriage, since bigamy conflicts with Danish marriage law.

But the interpreter and his two wives agree that a divorce is unacceptable and therefore the family is now checking the possibility of moving to England, says his lawyer Marianne Vølund to Kristeligt Dagblad.

The interpreter has formerly worked also for the British forces in Iraq and will therefore check whether it's possible to move there and continue with both marriages. It is far from certain whether this is possible.

Since the case started the interpreter has said that the whole family felt a lack of respect from the authorities' side. They do feel they have backing from the general population and this has contributed to convincing them not to divorce, says their lawyer.

She says that they will go to court and that there's a possibility that the Danish court will see things differently and more nuanced than the Family Services. There has never been such a case in Denmark and they don't know what the court will decide.

The Iraqi interpreter was brought to Denmark in July last year together with his two wives and three children since his work for the coalition forces in Iraq made it life threatening for him and his family. According to his lawyer the Danish authorities knew in advance the family's marriage situation.

Marianne Vølund says that despite the danger the women prefer going back to Iraq then divorcing, if they can't go to England, or if a court doesn't allow them to stay married.

The Foreign Ministry, Integration Ministry and Family services were informed of the family's decision. The English embassy in Denmark is currently checking the situation.

Source: DR (Danish)

See also: Denmark: Polygamy unacceptable, Denmark: Asylum seeker with two wives,