A Muslim woman has reported her husband for forcing her to wear a veil in public in a landmark case which could encourage more oppressed Arab women to fight back.
The Moroccan national, who lives in La Seu d’Urgell (Lleida) says her husband forced her to cover her face in public, and forbade her from speaking Spanish to anyone or looking them directly in the face.
She says she has also suffered violence and threats.
The accused reportedly hits her and pulls her hair, and has threatened on more than one occasion to throw her off the balcony.
She says she is not allowed to leave the house alone, or without his permission, and her whereabouts and whom she is with are strictly controlled.
The woman says she is even forced to keep the curtains closed when she is at home so that she cannot be seen through the window.
Prosecutors are calling for a two-and-a-half year prison sentence for the accused, whilst his lawyer is seeking his acquittal for lack of evidence.