2 Saudi women detained for breaking driving ban in capital Riyadh

JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi activists say police have detained two women in Riyadh caught breaking an official ban on females driving.

The activists say the women were stopped Wednesday afternoon and taken to a local police station where their male relatives were also called in.

Saudi activists launched a campaign starting last September renewing calls to allow women the right to drive in the conservative kingdom. In recent situations where women were caught driving, their male relatives were asked to sign statements saying they would not allow the women to drive again.

The activists, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of concern for their security, say Wednesday’s detentions are unique because the women have been detained hours longer than usual without being released.