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Police question official who married teen

JAKARTA, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Police have questioned a district head in Indonesia about his marriage to a teenage girl he divorced after only four days.

Slamet Rivanto, a senior police commissioner in West Java, said Aceng Fikri, a district head in Garut, is considered a witness, not a suspect, the Jakarta Post reported. He was questioned for 6 hours Tuesday.

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Investigators say Aceng might have violated several laws with his speedy marriage and divorce. Those include

taking a second wife without permission from his first wife, a crime in Indonesia, and violations of child protection law.

Aceng divorced his wife via text message, while Muslim law requires the notification be face to face, the report said.

Slamet said Aceng could face 15 years in prison if he is charged and convicted. He said investigators plan to re-enact the crime next week and then make a decision on charges.

The Supreme Court has recommended removing Aceng from his post.

Ujang Sudai, Aceng's lawyer, denied any wrongdoing and said the teenager was 18.

"The marriage was regulated and recognized under Islamic law but the Supreme Court saw it as the marriage of Aceng Fikri as a regional head, and not as an individual," Ujang said.

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