Muslim groom loses bid to divorce non-virgin bride

A French appeals court has reinstated the marriage of a Muslim man who wanted it annulled because his bride lied about being a virgin.

They wed in 2006 but the husband discovered on their wedding night that his bride had lied about her virginity.

In April this year, a lower court in the northern town of Douai granted the annulment.

The decision attracted nationwide attention, with critics calling it a sign that France’s strongly secular values were losing ground to traditions of its fast-growing immigrant communities.

Today the appeals court in Douai overturned the annulment, effectively ruling that the couple is again married.