An Albanian Muslim has been fined 30,000 euros after she refused to take off her niqab in a public building in the northeast town of San Vito al Tagliamento, as required by Italian law.
A judge in the northern city of Pordenone on Friday converted a four-month prison sentence handed to the woman into the 30,000 fine plus 600 euros costs.
The woman entered a meeting last month at San Vito al Tagliamento town hall and repeatedly ignored a request by its centre-left mayor to remove her niqab, which leaves only the eyes visible.
Police were called and removed the 40-year-old woman from the council assembly.
She has lived in San Vito al Tagliamento since 2000 and recently became an Italian citizen.
