The Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights activist Tawakkol Karman has shown solidarity with Saudi human rights activists, including Samar Badawi, arrested by Saudi security services.

"I call upon the Saudi government to respect rights of Badawi and her female companions, safeguard their freedoms and release them," said Karman in a statement on Twitter.

According to human rights’ groups, many women’s rights activists calling have been targeted in a government crackdown in recent months.