Some 100 people who were arrested by Qasim police last Friday were released, local media reported yesterday, quoting a a Qasim police spokesman.

Those released were among 161 men and 15 women who were arrested last Friday during an unlicensed gathering, the reports said.

Meanwhile, steps are under way to release another nine, the reports said.

In other news, 52 men and 15 women are being subject to legal proceedings following their arrest after they disobeyed orders to end their illegal gathering in front of the Commission of Investigation and Prosecution in Buraidah, the regional capital of Qasim, media reports said.