Saudi Arabia frees women's rights activist

Saudi activist Souad al-Shammari has been freed after spending around 90 days at a women's prison in Jeddah, her daughter says.

A woman who co-founded the Saudi Liberal Network internet discussion group with blogging activist Raef Badawi has been freed after about three months in prison, her daughter says.

Souad al-Shammari had spent around 90 days at a women's prison in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, her daughter Sarah al-Rimaly said.

"She's released now, thanks be to God," Rimaly said.

She added that her mother was released three days ago after signing a pledge "to reduce her activities".

She was arrested in late October for insulting Islam, activists said at the time.

Shammari had posted comments on Twitter about Islamic religious leaders.

Saudi Arabia's new King Salman late on Thursday issued an amnesty for some prisoners, but Rimaly said her mother's release was unconnected to this.

Rimaly added that she does not think the amnesty will cover Badawi, who is serving a 10-year jail sentence for insulting Islam.

He was also ordered to receive 1000 lashes, a punishment which has drawn worldwide outrage and been dismissed as "cruel and inhuman" by UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein.

Badawi received the first 50 lashes of his sentence publicly in Jeddah on January 9.

Subsequent rounds of flogging were postponed for the following two weeks on medical grounds.

A session last Friday was also deferred, said his wife Ensaf Haidar.


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