Article content continued

[np-related]

The two veiled women arrived too late to attend the court hearing, but addressed journalists in front of the building.

“We’ve been sentenced under a law that violates European law. For us, it’s not about the size of the fine, but the principle. We can’t allow women to be convicted for freely following their religious beliefs,” Ahmas said.

The young woman, who comes from the troubled Paris immigrant suburb of Aulnay-sous-Bois, called the ruling a “semi-victory” since it opened the way for a series of appeals she hopes will lead to the law’s abolition.

Yann Gre from the “Don’t Touch My Constitution” group that is defending the two women, said that they would appeal.

If the fines are confirmed by a higher court, they will take their case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, he said.

“This law forbids women in niqab from leaving their homes and going out in public. It’s a kind of life-sentence,” he said.

The women were arrested when they brought a birthday cake for local mayor and lawmaker Jean-Francois Cope, who is head of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s right-wing UMP party that pushed through Europe’s first anti-burqa law.

Cope was instrumental in getting the ban’s scope expanded from official buildings to anywhere on the street, according to Don’t Touch My Constitution.

Several other niqab-wearing women turned out in solidarity for the sentencing, including Kenza Drider from the southern city of Avignon, who declared herself candidate in next year’s presidential election.