Court to rule on anti-polygamy law

A court in Canada has begun hearings on whether the country’s anti-polygamy law violates rights to freedom of religion guaranteed by the constitution.



The case focuses on a break-away Mormon sect alleged to practice what they call plural marriage in British Columbia.



Authorities have asked the court to affirm whether the ban is constitutional in order to prosecute alleged polygamists.



The provincial government in British Columbia is deciding whether and how to crack down on alleged polygamy in a church community in the south-eastern corner of the province.



Craig Jones, a lawyer for the provincial government, warned a British Columbia Supreme Court judge on Monday that if the law was overturned, Canada would become the only Western country to allow polygamy.



The case is expected to continue until January.