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Veil-wearer faces penalty for biting policeman

Published: 07 Sep 2012 10:13 GMT+02:00 | Print version
Updated: 07 Sep 2012 10:13 GMT+02:00

An 18-year-old veil-wearing woman faces a penalty for biting a policeman in Marseille during a "mini-riot" that erupted when she was checked for violating France’s dress code.

The prosecutor in the case on Thursday demanded a six-month suspended jail sentence for Louise-Marie Suisse, who appeared in court with a traditional Muslim headscarf, although her face was not covered.

In a case that has attracted national attention, Suisse was checked by two police officers for wearing a  full veil over her head near a mosque in the centre of Marseille on the night of July 25, Le Parisien reported.

French legislation outlaws the wearing of veils that cover the face in public places.

However, Suisse refused to remove the veil, stating that she did not respect the laws of the Republic, nor their authority.

A man intervened to support her and soon a group of other people gathered around the officers, forcing them to seek help.

In the melee that ensued, Suisse bit an officer from the anti-criminal brigade (BAC) which sent reinforcements to the scene.

Suisse acknowledged biting the policeman but told the court that she acted in a “panic” when she “couldn’t breathe”.

She said officers shouted at her to take the veil off or risk being taken to the police station.

She said police threw her to the ground and one of them put his hand over her mouth.

A separate administrative investigation has been launched into the behaviour of the police.

A lawyer for the bitten officer, meanwhile, is seeking 2,500 euros in damages and interest.

The court has put off sentencing until September 20. 

Malcolm Curtis (news@thelocal.fr)

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2012-09-07 17:27:57 by Iftikhar
A British Muslim woman was asked to leave a school's parents' night in Manchester for wearing the veil. The college cited "safety" and "security" reasons. Wearing the face veil is not obligatory, and is a freedom of choice issue. We understand if teachers are forbidden from wearing it as it can sometimes interfere with communication during the lesson. Children may also have to follow a particular dress code, but for a parent to be stopped doesn’t make sense.” In March of this year, a Muslim woman was stopped from sitting on a UK jury in a murder trial because the judge ruled her facial expressions could not be seen. Britain, unlike France, has not yet introduced a nationwide ban on face veils. Institutional terrorism! An official could easily have taken her aside, verified her identity and then let her sit down and participate if they are so worried about security! If she had come in a bikini or a micro mini shirt they would have welcomed her, shameless hypocrats!!! If a woman wears a bikini she is considered liberated, but if she wears a burqa, then she is fit to be killed - as per you. Great, this is liberal. A veil ban for "safety reasons", sure... How on earth will the ability to look at someone's FACE prevent terrorist attacks? It's not like terrorists carry bomb belts strapped across their faces, or hide daggers up their nostrils. This "safety" nonsense is no more than a thinly veiled (no pun intended) excuse for blatant islamophobia. People are saying bravo UK; buts it not the government who did this just some racist teachers! A lot of people hate Muslims in the UK, this is what the bbc and other media government colluding organisations want; they want people to hate Muslims as it makes it easier to invade countries like iraq, afganistan, libya, syria and iran. I'm a Muslim and I hate islamaphobia! The UK media has ceased to be an organisation presenting news. It's a propaganda machine. Preaching hate negates your own philosophies and principles of freedom and liberty. You call it "security measures", but that is also what the Nazi's used to call it. IA http://www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk
2012-09-11 01:21:12 by stablemate77
if this woman didnt act like dog and bite someone then ther would be no problem.....period ... the policeman was doing his job to protect the people grow up....
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