City with burka ban must pay its own fine

MAASEIK, Belgium, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- A Belgian city's law fining women who wear an Islamic burka in public isn't bringing in much money -- all the women cited so far have been welfare recipients.

The newspaper De Standaard reports Maaseik Mayor Jan Creemers says a young Moroccan-born woman must pay a fine of 125 euros (more than $150). But the city must pay itself because she is on welfare.

Since she was cited, police have booked four other women.

The burka is a garment that covers women from head to foot, leaving only a slit for their eyes.