Child-bride denies pregnancy claims in reluctant homecoming
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.STEVE BOGGAN
Chief Reporter
The child-bride Sara Cook arrived back in Britain yesterday, vehemently denying reports that she was pregnant and vowing to return to her 18-year-old "husband" in Turkey.
After a week of resisting a High Court order to return "forthwith", and amid emotional scenes at Istanbul Airport, the 13-year-old Essex schoolgirl announced that she was leaving her adopted country against her will before boarding a Turkish Airlines flight bound for Heathrow, with her mother Jackie.
Wearing a traditional head scarf and a long red coat, the teenager told a crowd that had gathered to see her off that she was leaving only because of an High Court order on 26 January making her a ward of court.
"If I do not go, my parents will go to prison, so I have to return," Sarah said.
She denied that she was carrying the baby of Musa Komeagac, the unemployed waiter she married in an unlawful ceremony last month. He remains in custody charged with statutory rape but she has vowed to try to return before his court hearing on 15 February.
"They have taken me from my husband's hands," she said. "But we will wait for each other and I will return as soon as I can. If they give me my passport back, I will return."
She told Turkish journalists on the plane she feared she would be put "in a madhouse" but she was reported to have been in good spirits throughout the flight.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments