London, Sep 16 (IANS) A Muslim woman was Monday told to remove her veil while giving evidence during a criminal trial in a British court, a media report said.
The judge, however, allowed her to wear the niqab during the trial, reported The Telegraph.
The woman is facing trial for allegedly intimidating a witness.
She had claimed that her religious beliefs doesn’t permit her to show her face to any male other than her husband.
The woman’s lawyers argued that forcing thier client to remove her niqab would be a breach of the European Convention of Human Rights.
During the trial at the Blackfriars Crown Court, Judge Peter Murphy said it was of “cardinal importance” that a jury could see a defendant’s face while giving evidence.
“I conclude that some restriction of the right of a defendant to wear the niqab during proceedings against her in the Crown Court is necessary in a democratic society,” the Telegraph quoted the judge as saying.
The judge added that screens could be erected or video links could be used to ensure that she was only visible to the jury and counsel.