London, Sep 29 (IANS) A Saudi woman, who was sentenced to 10 lashes for defying the kingdom's prohibition on women driving, has been spared the punishment after King Abdullah intervened.


On Tuesday, Shaima Justaneyah was found guilty in Jeddah of driving without government permission. Her case caused worldwide outrage, Daily Mail reported.

But due to King Abdullah's intervention Wednesday, the woman got reprieve from likely public flogging against the religious edict.

Justaneyah had earlier told Arab News: "I cannot think straight because of what I have had to go through."

Saudi Arabia is the only country that bans women - including foreigners - from driving. Families are expected to employ drivers, or rely on male relatives to drive them around.

Earlier this week, King Abdullah, 87, announced that women would be given the right to vote for the first time and run in the country's 2015 local elections.