Saudi govt backlash for women drivers begins

June 29, 2011 17:48

In Saudi Arabia, fiesty women have been fighting for a basic right -- the right to drive, banned by the government lolling around in the Middle Ages.

At least five Saudi women have been taken into custody accused of defying the men-only driving rule in the ultraconservative Arab kingdom, an activist said today.
The detentions mark the first major backlash by authorities since a campaign was launched by Saudi women nearly two weeks ago to challenge the driving restrictions.

Dozens of women have since driven through the capital Riyadh and other cities.

"This is the first big pushback from authorities, it seems," al-Nafjan said.

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