France imposes first niqab fines
LONDON. September 22. KAZINFORM Two French Muslim women who continue to wear the full-face veil in defiance of a new law banning it in France have been issued fines by a court.
Hind Ahmas and Najate Nait Ali were caught wearing the niqab in public outside Meaux town hall, eastern Paris, soon after the law came in in May, Kazinform refers to BBC News.
The women say they will appeal against their punishment all the way to the European Court of Human Rights.
Meanwhile another woman said she would stand for president in her niqab.
Thursday's sentencing in Meaux was closely followed not just in France but right across Europe, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Paris.
Belgium, Italy, Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland all have - or are planning - similar legislation.
For further information visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15013383