Veiled Driver Released After Controversial Arrest in Seine-Saint-Denis, Faces Court Summons

Aged 35, the veiled woman is summoned to appear before the Criminal Court for insult, rebellion and threat against a person holding public authority, the Bobigny Prosecutor’s Office said on October 20.

The driver is said to have used a tram lane to overtake a line of cars on the Quai de la Marine in Île-Saint-Denis on October 18, before being arrested, according to the police.

Her arrest quickly fueled a heated controversy. Indeed, many Internet users who followed the videos shared on social media about the scene thought her arrest was related to the hijab she was wearing. According to the police, this is not the case.

Reacting to the arrest of his client, Hosni Maati stated that his "client acknowledges having violated the Highway Code and resisted the law enforcement authorities".

However, the driver’s lawyer criticized the length of the police custody, which he describes as "never seen" for such a case. He will add that there was no violence towards the law enforcement authorities.

For its part, the Bobigny Prosecutor’s Office stated that the driver’s dog, which was shot, would be a cross between a pitbull and a labrador.