Woman fined for wearing burqa in Italy

Rome, May 4: A Muslim woman was fined by the Italian police for wearing the full Islamic veil in a street in the northern city of Novara, city officials said on Tuesday, May 4.

"City police ticketed her last night and she will have to pay a 500-euro (USD 650) fine. As far as I know this is a first in Italy," Mauro Franzinelli of the Novara municipal police said.

He said that the woman can appeal against it.

The woman, a Tunisian citizen, was with her husband when she was stopped by the police officers outside a post office.

The police called in a patrol comprising a woman officer when her husband objected to her being identified by male officers.

Italy had imposed a ban on wearing burqa in public or covering face while driving since 1975.

"City hall adopted a decree in late January banning the burqa in public places and their vicinity, which is based on a commentary by the interior ministry who received a copy of the draft," said Franzinelli, who is also a local Northern League official.

OneIndia News