The Zambezia Provincial Judicial Court on Tuesday sentenced a pastor to 17 years in prison for involvement in early marriage to a minor, allegedly for divine motivations, reports Radio Mozambique.

In addition to the 17 years in prison, he was also sentenced to a fine, up to two years, with a daily rate of 100 Meticais, as well as compensation to the family of the minor for property damage valued at 38,000 Meticais.

In a sentence handed down, in Quelimane, the presiding judge Alexandre Zandamela, states that the defendant, 39 years old, is also convicted of the crimes of sexual assault, premature union with a minor under 12 years old.