Muslim woman finally agrees to lift veil during German racism trial

Amira Behari, 43, claimed that she faced verbal and racial abuse in the city's central train station

A Muslim woman unwillingly removed her veil during a German racism trial after being warned that if she did not do so, she would be put behind bars.

Amira Behari, 43, who had earlier refused to remove her niqab to testify in a Munich court claimed that she faced verbal and racial abuse in the city's central train station.



The 59-year-old defendant, identified as Kai O, allegedly hurled verbal abuse at Behari and said "You don't belong here".

Judge Thomas Mueller during a hearing in November told Behari he wanted to see her face in order to 'read her emotions'. "I need to see you otherwise there will be considerable problems in adjudicating your case," the judge said at the State Court.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Behari while refusing said, "I have a God at the end of the world who will see me right at the end. I will not do this," as a result of which Judge Mueller had no option but to find the accused not guilty.



The decision, however, gave rise to an uproar amid judges and prosecutors in Germany who appealed the decision and demanded a retrial.

Behari, once again appeared before the court with her face and head covered, upon which Judge Claudia Bauer gave her the option of withdrawing the case, in order to avoid revealing her face.

The 43-year-old, however, decided to remove her niqab, only to find the judge giving a decision in favour of the defendant.

PHOTO: MARKUS HANNICH

Behari lifted her veil in front of the judge in a way that people sitting behind her couldn't see it. If she hadn't done so, she would have faced a fine or time in jail.



According to reports, the prosecutors office in Munich consulted with religious scholars who stated that women are allowed to remove their niqab where necessary – for example before judges, police and prosecutors.

 

This article originally appeared on Mail Online.