Spanish court overturns city ban on face veils, says it infringes religious freedom

MADRID (AP) - A Spanish court has overturned a city's ban on wearing face-covering Islamic veils in municipal buildings, saying it infringes religious liberties.

In 2010, Lleida, in the northeastern region of Catalonia, became the first Spanish town to impose such a ban. It was temporarily suspended by a regional court following an appeal by a Muslim association but then later upheld.

Spain's Supreme Court on Thursday accepted a second appeal and said the city was not entitled to order such a ban.

It said that in line with Spanish and European rulings, such a prohibition must be based on a law, which does not exist in Spain at present.