Turkey throws out child sex bill after outcry

A Turkish parliamentary committee on Wednesday threw out a bill that could have pardoned men convicted of child-sex assault, sealing the end of a controversy that led to a huge public outcry and protests.

A majority in parliament's justice commission voted to remove the proposed legislation from its agenda, the official Anadolu news agency said.

Critics had said the bill - which provided for the release from jail of men convicted of sexually assaulting underage girls if they marry their victims - would legitimise the rape of minors.

Thousands across Turkey had joined protests against the bill, with the usually divided opposition coming together in support of its withdrawal after it was initially approved last week.