My friend, an Australian citizen, agreed to a Muslim name change and entered into a Muslim religious service to marry a man in Bangladesh.
They returned to Australia but separated a year or so after returning.
My friend then met another man, they decided to marry and did so in Fiji, then returned to Australia. At the time my friend did not disclose the previous 'marriage' to her new husband as she believed it was no more than a Muslim religious ceremony effective only in Bangladesh.
As a result of my research, it now seems that Bangladesh marriage is recognised in Australia. The marriage certificate was issued by the Office of the Muslim Marriage Registrar and Kazi in that country, fairly obviously the official department for registering particulars of marriages.
If that marriage is legally binding and is recognised in Australia can my friend now seek a divorce here, in Australia?
Secondly, if her first marriage is valid then she may have committed Bigamy. If she has, was the act of Bigamy committed in Fiji, or Australia and what penalties would apply if/when she was to make a voluntary disclosure?
They returned to Australia but separated a year or so after returning.
My friend then met another man, they decided to marry and did so in Fiji, then returned to Australia. At the time my friend did not disclose the previous 'marriage' to her new husband as she believed it was no more than a Muslim religious ceremony effective only in Bangladesh.
As a result of my research, it now seems that Bangladesh marriage is recognised in Australia. The marriage certificate was issued by the Office of the Muslim Marriage Registrar and Kazi in that country, fairly obviously the official department for registering particulars of marriages.
If that marriage is legally binding and is recognised in Australia can my friend now seek a divorce here, in Australia?
Secondly, if her first marriage is valid then she may have committed Bigamy. If she has, was the act of Bigamy committed in Fiji, or Australia and what penalties would apply if/when she was to make a voluntary disclosure?