Riyadh: Dozens of Saudi men gathered outside the Interior Ministry in the capital Riyadh on Sunday to demand the release of jailed relatives, amid a heavy police presence.

Some were seen arguing with police but not shouting slogans or holding protest signs.

At least 50 police cars surrounded the Interior Ministry, and three men were seen by a Reuters witness being put into police cars.

Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour Al Turki could not confirm the arrests.

"There are many people who come to the ministry to see different officials for different reasons," he told Reuters.