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."
Woman is probably ugly as all hell to boot. Good luck hearing those "righteous" feminists on this one. No doubt they'll be giving a wide berth as it does involve Islam and we all know they're off-limits with regards to criticism. The husband should be deported back to the shithole he came from like France did in a similar case.