Saudi Arabia releases women detained for 'foreign' contacts

Saudi Arabian authorities have released some of the women activists facing charges related to human rights work and contacts with foreign journalists and diplomats, three sources familiar with the matter said. Two sources said three women were released, and the rest would be freed on Sunday. The conditions of their release remain unclear.

Human Rights Watch yesterday said that Saudi women held in detention for nearly a year have been charged following contact with foreign media and activists. State-backed media have branded them traitors and "agents of embassies".