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Two Saudi Women Who Were Detained for Defying a Driving Ban Have Been Freed

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Mideast Saudi Arabia Women Driving
This Nov. 30, 2014, image made from video released by Loujain al-Hathloul, shows her driving toward the United Arab Emirates–Saudi Arabia border before her arrest on Dec. 1, 2014, in Saudi ArabiaLoujain al-Hathloul—AP
By Helen Regan

Two women’s-rights campaigners from Saudi Arabia, who were detained for defying a ban on female driving, have been released after spending two months in prison, a fellow activist said on Friday.

Loujain al-Hathloul and Maysaa al-Amoudi had been held since Dec. 1, after al-Hathloul, 25, attempted to drive into Saudi Arabia from the United Arab Emirates, Agence France-Presse reports.

Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that bans women from driving.

“Yes Loujain is free,” an activist who spoke to al-Hathloul after her release told AFP.

Al-Amoudi, a 33-year-old Saudi journalist who lives in the U.A.E., was arrested after she arrived at the border to help her friend. Al-Amoudi’s family says she was also let out of prison.

It is unclear whether the pair still face charges, or if any conditions were put on their release.

[AFP]

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Write to Helen Regan at helen.regan@timeasia.com