Woman arrested for driving in Saudi Arabia, activists kick on social media

A woman has been arrested in Saudi Arabia for trying to drive into the country through the border with the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia does not allow women to drive. It is the only country in the world with that law.

 The woman, Loujain Hathloul, was reportedly arrested on Monday afternoon after being blocked at the border with the UAE.

Hathloul said via her twitter handle: "I have been at the Saudi border for 24 hours. They don't want to give me my passport nor will they let me pass”.

She said her driving licence "is valid in all GCC countries", referring to the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council which includes Saudi Arabia.

Tweets from the handle, @LoujainHathloul later stopped.

AFP news agency also reports that another woman, UAE-based Saudi journalist Maysaa Alamoudi, who went to support her, was also arrested.

Hathloul also posted details about her long confinement in her car.

The social media was immediately set alight after the arrests of the two women were confirmed. Users and activists took to Twitter to express worry and gather information.

Aljazeera quoted an AFP report where an activist said Hathloul was trying to make a point in her unusual attempt to drive through the border.

"She knew that they wouldn't let her pass," the activist said.

During October dozens of women drove in Saudi Arabia and posted images of themselves doing so as part of an online campaign supporting the right to drive.

In response, the interior ministry said it would "strictly implement" measures against anyone undermining "the social cohesion".

Women drivers have previously been arrested and cars have been confiscated, activists say.