France niqab
Wearing the face-covering niqab garment in public is against the law in France. REUTERS

Police were injured on Friday while arresting a woman who was wearing a nijab, which violates French laws against covering the face in public.

The 18-year-old woman was fully covered except for her eyes when police approached her to ask for identification. She allegedly bit one of the officials, reported the Telegraph, and refused to cooperate with their request.

"I don't obey the laws of the French Republic," she said.

The scene transpired outside of a mosque in the city of Marseille. Following the initial confrontation, minor violence broke out in the surrounding crowd of about 50 people, and the woman's partner rushed to her side to defend her. In total, three officers suffered light injuries.

Police eventually arrested the woman, her partner and two others. But they were released shortly after, in a gesture of appeasement since this month is Ramadan, a holy month of prayer and fasting for Muslims around the world.

The incident still sparked controversy, with some witnesses alleging that the police used unnecessary force. The Telegraph reports that an administrative inquiry is currently underway.