Denmark fines first woman for violating 'burqa ban'

Denmark, Aug 04: In a shocking news, A 28-year-old woman has been fined for wearing a niqab(Burqa) at a local shopping center, in violation of a controversial new law. The ban, which took effect on August 1, prohibits full-face Islamic veils in public places.

Danish police have fined a woman for wearing a niqab in a shopping complex, local media reported.

It's the first such fine to be issued for violating the country's contentious law banning full-face Islamic veils in public places, which came into effect on Wednesday.

In accordance with the law, the 28-year-old was asked by police to either remove her veil or leave the public space. She chose the latter.

She was also informed she would receive a fine of 1,000 kroner (Rs.10,688/$156/€134) in the mail.

Police were called to a shopping center in Horsholm, north of Copenhagen, where the woman had become involved in an altercation with another woman, police duty officer David Borchersen told news agency.

"During the fight her niqab came off, but by the time we arrived she had put it back on again," Borchersen said.

Police are going through surveillance video to determine if the other woman deliberately ripped off the niqab.

Both women have been charged with disturbing the peace, The Copenhagen Post newspaper reported.