Saudi women held six days for defying driving ban

Loujain Al Hathloul wanted to drive into Saudi Arabia from the UAE.

This November 30 image made from video released by Loujain Al Hathloul, shows her driving towards the UAE - Saudi Arabia border before her arrest on December 1 in Saudi Arabia. Loujain Al Hathloul / AP
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A Saudi activist and family members say two Saudi women have been detained for six days for defying the kingdom’s driving ban.

Police stopped the women after they drove into Saudi Arabia from the UAE on December 1.

Loujain Al Hathloul, 25, had been planning to defy the kingdom’s ban on women driving by crossing into her country from neighbouring UAE, where she has a driver’s license. An activist says Saudi border guards confiscated her passport, forcing her to wait at the crossing for nearly 24 hours.

The activist and relatives say that when Maysa Al Amoudi, 33, arrived at the border to deliver food, water and a blanket to Ms Al Hathloul, she too was subsequently arrested for driving.

All spoke anonymously for fear of government reprisal.

* Associated Press