While being arrested for wearing an illegal face-covering, a woman headbutted a female police officer, causing her injury. However, as soon as the presiding judge heard what the suspect did, they were determined to make an example out of her.

In response to Europe’s growing Muslim population, many countries have implemented strict laws to counter the influence of Sharia law. This cultural conflict has caused some within the Islamic community to resist certain regulations in favor of their religious customs.

Various European countries have banned the niqab, a face veil worn by some Muslim women, aiming to minimize potential extremism. This ban forces the Muslim minority to either follow national laws or adhere to their religious practices, leading to significant consequences for those who choose the latter.

Stephanie Djato, a 27-year-old woman from Brussels, knowingly broke the law by wearing her niqab at a bus stop. As per Belgian law, a female police officer warned her to remove the veil or face arrest, as reported by Breitbart.

Djato refused to comply and did not go quietly. Instead of submitting to the arrest, she headbutted one of the officers and continued to physically resist. Even at the police station, she remained combative, injuring two female officers in the process.

When Djato’s case came to court, she was held accountable for her actions and the injuries she caused. The judge, intending to make an example of her, handed down a harsh sentence for her assault on a police officer.

Stephanie Djato received no leniency from the court.

According to Het Laatste Nieuws, Djato faced a severe sentence primarily because of her violent behavior. What could have been a minor fine for wearing the niqab escalated to an 18-month prison sentence. Additionally, she was ordered to pay compensation to the injured officers and fined $1,000 for wearing the niqab in public.

The court noted that if Djato had obeyed the officer’s instructions, her punishment would have been just a fine. However, her aggressive refusal to comply resulted in the harshest legal consequences.

Djato’s situation worsened when she chose not to attend her trial, leading to a contempt of court charge. This decision prompted the judge to order her immediate arrest upon conviction, catching her by surprise when police arrived to take her to prison.

Belgium banned face-covering attire a few years ago, citing safety and identification reasons. Though the law does not specifically mention the niqab, it is widely seen as targeting this Islamic garment. Generally, the penalty for violating this law is a fine, but Djato’s case was an exception due to her violent actions.

Regardless of one’s stance on the niqab ban, balancing religious freedom with public safety is a complex issue. However, it’s clear that assaulting a police officer over a law disagreement is inexcusable.