Saudi women protesters arrested after demonstration ban

Sunday March 06, 2011 07:13:59 PM, DPA

Riyadh: Saudi women who were protesting in the eastern part of the kingdom were arrested after a ban was issued on all kinds of demonstrations, witnesses said Sunday.

Some 40 women held a protest Saturday in front of a government building in Dammam city, demanding the release of Shiite prisoners jailed since 1996 in connection with the Khobar bombing that killed 19 US soldiers.

They were reportedly beaten before they were detained.

The interior ministry issued a ban Saturday on all kinds of demonstrations, saying they go against Islamic law and traditions of the oil-rich kingdom.

The ministry said security forces would take all necessary action against those who violate the regulations.

The ban comes ahead of a Facebook group call for "Day of Rage" protests March 11 calling for political reforms, the release of political prisoners, more employment opportunities, and greater freedoms.

The ban also follows a series of protests by the country's Shiite minority over the past week demanding the release of prisoners.

                                           Home | Top of the Page

Top Stories

Thousands march in Bahrain, demand cabinet resignation

Tens of thousands marched in the Bahraini capital Manama Friday afternoon renewing calls for the cabinet resignation and    »

Arab World Turmoil: Libya tense, sectarian clashes in Bahrain

Gaddafi launches air strikes, Egypt PM quits

  Most Read

Govt given a month’s time to release Muslim youths arrested in blast case

The Muslim protesters from various parts of Maharashtra state gathered at Azad   »

Muslims in Maharashtra feeling alienated: Minorities' panel chief told

UPA in crisis as DMK quits government, dumps Congress

Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK Saturday ended its seven-year alliance with the Congress and pulled out of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government after running into roadblocks over seat sharing in assembly elections only a month away. The dramatic decision, announced    »

  News Pick

To defend innocents, nephew of blast accused wants to become lawyer

He would probably have become a Chartered Accountant earning fabulously and living in style. But he  »

Now a solar lamp scam in Bihar, village heads in trouble

Over 200 outgoing village body heads, or 'mukhiyas', are in deep trouble in Bihar in connection with a scam in the purchase of solar lamps at a time when elections for 2.62 lakh panchayat posts are approaching.    »

Women still missing from India's politics

Despite a more than decade long campaign to get more women's representation in India's legislative bodies, including parliament, women are still missing from politics as patriarchal attitudes create doubts in their own minds as   »

Arjun Singh, former union minister, governor, and chief minister, dead

Arjun Singh, a former union minister, chief minister and governor, who made a strong bid to become prime minister in the mid   »

Arjun Singh: Crafty Congress strategist, Rajiv loyalist

Babri Masjid case: Apex court issues notice to Advani

The Supreme Court Friday issued notice to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani, Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray and others on  »

BJP ideology not fit for secular India: Cong

Union Budget 2011

Budget promises more money for all - farmers to corporates

Promising more money in the hands of households by hiking the income tax exemption limit and lowering tax surcharge for corporates, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Monday  »

Complete text of the budget speech

Highlights of Pranab Mukherjee's budget for 2011-12

Budget allocation for Minority Affairs raised to 2600 crore

Bouquets and brickbats for Pranab's budget

Housewives to Pranab: Thanks for sparing us more headache

Budget 2011: Education gets 24% hike; AMU, Azad foundation get funds

Pranab's budget has Rs.8,000 crore for Kashmir's development