(Age) A Supreme Court judge has banned the wife of an accused terrorist from wearing a niqab veil in the court’s public gallery.
The woman, who is married to a man accused of plotting a Christmas Day terrorist attack at Melbourne landmarks, had her application to wear the garment dismissed in court.
Justice Christopher Beale ruled Supreme Court spectators must have their faces uncovered in order to prevent misbehaviour in the courtroom that could lead to the discharging of a jury.
A niqab is a traditional Muslim garb that covers the head and face except for an opening for the eyes.
“Requiring spectators’ faces to be uncovered is, in my view, the least restrictive means of upholding court security,” Justice Beale said.
