Italian Police Fines Woman 500 Euro's For Wearing Face Veil

Rome, Italy (AHN) -- Police in the northwestern Italian city of Novara stopped and fined a woman wearing a face veil or burqa while inside the post office.

The 500 euro fine was imposed as the woman violated an ordinance prohibiting wearing of masks inside public buildings, schools and hospitals, according to police chief Paolo Cortese.

The purpose of the ordinance introduced by Mayor Massimo Giordano in January was to comply with a 1975 anti-terrorism law that prohibits wearing of anything that prevents identification of people.

The woman, who was born in Tunisia and accompanied by her husband, was identified by a female police officer, regardless the fine may still be imposed.

Giordano said the ordinance also intends to easily integrate foreign immigrants into Italian society.