Manal Al-Sharif (also spelled ‘Al-Sharief’ in some media reports) has been released from detention in Al-Khobar, Arab News reports. She spent 10 days in detention after being arrested for breaking no written law. Publicity on her detention has been extensive in the Saudi media. The report says that she was released through the actions of the police, with no mention of higher-ups requesting or demanding it.

Manal Al-Sharif released
IRAJ WAHAB | ARAB NEWS

DAMMAM: Alkhobar police on Monday evening ordered the release of Manal Al-Sharif, the 32-year-old Saudi woman arrested on May 21 for driving in Alkhobar, a day after she posted footage on the video-sharing website YouTube showing her behind the wheel.

Speaking through an interpreter, attorney Adnan Al-Saleh told Arab News that Alkhobar police issued her release orders.

Khaled Al-Fakheri of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) confirmed to Arab News later that she was freed from the women’s detention center in Dammam. “Yes, I can confirm, she has been released,” he said.

When she was first arrested by members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Alkhobar, she was asked to sign a mandatory paper stating that she would not break the Kingdom’s laws again. She was released but rearrested the next day for violating public order. On Thursday, the authorities extended her detention for 10 days.

Reports of her release were the subject of intense discussion on social media websites. Many Saudis, especially from the burgeoning middle class, seemed delighted at the end of her ordeal.
…


May:31:2011 - 07:55 | Comments & Trackbacks (2) | Permalink
2 Responses to “Latest on Manal Al-Sharif”
  1. 1
    Dakota Said:
    May:31:2011 - 16:50 

    Hmmm, looks like Facebook is down, at least inside KSA:
    http://saudyssey.wordpress.com/2011/06/01/you-dont-see-this-very-often/

  2. 2
    Sparky Said:
    June:01:2011 - 02:50 

    I am sure they asked her do you in any way know who “Amazon Woman” or “Kali” is…hahahaha I mean why the “extra” detention. She likes King Abdullah and stuff you know…She is getting her wheels on. Ladies get your wheels on and play your favorite song…

    I wish a Saudi who has ever been detained in Saudi Arabia for pushing Human Rights would do a write-up on it. It would be a very interesting read…I’m sure…

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.

spacer

  • Advertising Info

    Interested in advertising on or sponsoring Crossroads Arabia? Contact me for more information.

  • Copyright Notice

    All original materials copyright, 2004-2013. Other materials copyrighted by their respective owners.

    The fact that this blog permits one to use RSS to read content does not constitute permission to republish content. All requests for republication must be submitted through the Contact form on the menu above. Violations of copyright will be dealt with through applicable law.