Saudis begin freeing 25 activists held in protests

Riyadh: Saudi authorities have started releasing about 25 Shiites detained last week during protests after community leaders met King Abdullah and other officials, activists said on Tuesday.

Shiites have staged small protests for about two weeks in the kingdom's oil-producing east, mainly to demand the release of prisoners.

Community leaders met the king and the governor of the Eastern province yesterday to seek the release of the activists detained for taking part in protests in the east.

"We know that the prisoners will be released today," said Ebrahim Al Mugaiteeb, head of the Human Rights First Society.

"I think some are already with their families," he said, echoing comments by activists in the area of Qatif on the Gulf coast.