Couple spends wedding night in jail after brawling

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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (Reuters) -- An Ethiopian bride and groom spent their wedding night in a police cell after his suggestion that they pawn their rings to pay for taxis triggered a brawl among outraged relatives, police said on Thursday.

The groom suggested to his bride that since he was short of money they should sell their wedding rings to cover the cost of taking guests to and from the wedding service in Gondar region.

The bride became furious at the suggestion and called off the ceremony. Police intervened after the situation deteriorated into a melee and took both bride and groom into custody.

Police said the groom complained he was short of money because he had paid around $150 as a dowry, a large amount by Ethiopian standards. The bride was released from jail the next day, but the groom was kept in detention for few days for his own protection, police added.

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