Burkini ban is a serious and clear illegality, French top court rules

France’s highest administrative court, the Conseil d’Etat, has temporarily suspended a ban on Muslim tailored swimsuits – known as burkini.

The ban of burkinis by the French government led to outrage by Muslims and reportedly created divisions within the government.

According to a statement by the court, its current ruling should be respected until it makes a definitive ruling concerning the matter at a latter date.

Part of the court’s statement said that the ban on burkinis in Villeneuve-Loubet: “seriously, and clearly illegally, breached the fundamental freedoms to come and go, the freedom of beliefs and individual freedom.”

#DEVELOPING STORY: #French top court overturns #BurkiniBan https://t.co/vpT1qniWMp

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) August 26, 2016

The ruling was granted after the League of Human Rights filed an application requesting that the ban be overturned in the Mediterranean town of Ville neuve-Loubet on grounds that it contravened civil liberties.

Under the French legal system, temporary decisions can be handed before a court takes more time to prepare a judgment on the underlying legality of a case.

Reacting to the news on the ruling, Abdallah Zekri, secretary general of the French Muslim Council (CFCM) said they were satisfied with the ruling adding that “This is a slap for the prime minister and a kick up the backside for Sarkozy.”