Husband of first woman to be penalised in Italy for wearing face-covering veil in public makes this shocking decision, as he does not want other men looking at her

Fined burqa-clad wife will never step out

Husband of first woman to be penalised in Italy for wearing face-covering veil in public makes this shocking decision, as he does not want other men looking at her

The Muslim husband of the first woman in Italy to be fined for wearing a burqa has vowed to never let her outside again, because he doesn't want other men looking at her.

Cover story: Under Italian anti-terrorist laws brought in during the 1970s to fight political activism, it is illegal to be seen in a public place with your face covered. Representation Pic/Getty Images

Amel Marmouri (26), was handed a penalty of 500 euros (Rs 2,900) after being spotted by police officers in a post office in the northern city of Novara.

The fine is the first case of its kind in the country.

Cash crunch

But the Tunisian's husband, Ben Salah Braim (36), said she will now have to remain indoors.

"I just don't know where we are going to get 500 euros to pay the fine. We thought as she was going to the mosque she was OK to wear the burqa.

"We knew about the law and I know that it's not against my religion but now Amel will have to stay indoors. I can't have other men looking at her," he added.

Under Italian anti-terrorist laws brought in during the 1970s to fight political activism, it is illegal to be seen in a public place with your face covered.

It had never been fully enforced but, earlier this year, Novara Mayor Massimo Giordano introduced new local laws banning any clothing that 'prevents the immediate identification of the wearer inside public buildings, schools and hospitals'.


	Ban in Belgium
	Amel Marmouri's case comes just days after Belgium's lower house of Parliament voted unanimously to prohibit women from wearing full-face veils in public. If the bill is passed by the Senate, it would become Europe's first national burqa ban.

Giordano said, "I signed the new regulations for reasons of security but also so that people who come to live in our city are aware and respect our traditions. The regulations in Novara specifically cover people wearing clothing that prevents them from being identified in a public place, and a post office is a public place.

"This is the only way to stop behaviour that makes the already difficult process of integration even harder."

Police chief Paolo Cortese said, "The fine was given because the woman was inside the post office at the time, which is a public building."

Muslim support

Muslim groups in Italy insisted that Italian laws must be respected Imam Izzedin Elzir, president of the Islamic Community and Organisations Union in Italy, said, "We are for the freedom of women and against veils of any kind and Italian laws must be respected."

"We as an organisation have always said that we are against face veils in Italy because the law of recognition has to be observed," he added.

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