Rome, (IANS) : An Albanian-Muslim has been fined 30,000 euros after she refused to take off her niqab in a public building in San Vito al Tagliamento in Italy, as required by the law.

A judge in the province of Pordenone on Friday converted a four-month prison sentence handed to the woman into a 30,000 fine plus 600 euros cost.

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.