The Saudi Arabian authorities have begun court hearings in the case of ten human rights defenders detained in May 2018 on charges of anti-state activities, BBC reported.

The trial takes place in Riyadh in a criminal court.

The public prosecutor's office has not specified the charges against the accused, but said they were suspected of undertaking co-ordinated and organised activities that aim to undermine the kingdom's security, stability and national unity.

Those appearing include Loujain al-Hathloul, Aziza al-Yousef, Eman al-Nafjan and Hatoon al-Fassi.

Hatlul spent several months in prison for driving in 2014. It is believed that her act was the starting point in the discussion about giving Saudi women the right to drive a car, which the authorities eventually gave in 2018.