World Bulletin / News Desk

A senior Belgian diplomat has been arrested after pulling off the face veil (niqab) of a Muslim woman who asked him for directions during her visit to Brussels. Little did he know, however, that the woman he had assaulted was a Qatar princess.

60-year-old diplomat Jean-Marie Pire told the princess that he doesn't speak to people if he can't see their face, The Times reported. Pire showed no remorse over his actions, openly saying, "I wanted to make it clear that the veil is banned in Belgium."

The diplomat then tried to justify his actions by saying that what the princess was doing was not legal, referring to a ban on full face-coverings which was introduced in Belgium in 2012.

The unnamed princess was also handed a fine for breaching the ban and may also face up to seven days in prison for wearing the niqab in public, but she has already reportedly made an official complaint to prosecutors who may now press charges against Pire for assault after she suffered cuts and bruises from her earrings that were dislodged as he pulled off the veil.