Saudi Arabia lashing out at Canada after the country's foreign ministry urged Riyadh to release arrested civil rights activists.

The kingdom has suspended new trade and investment with Canada, ordered the ambassador to leave within 24 hours and recalled its own from Ottawa.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry saying it retained its right to take further action over Canada's quote 'interference' in their internal affairs.

Canada singling out Samar Badawi who was arrested a week ago.

The women's rights campaigner won the International Women of Courage Award in 2012.

And had been calling for an end to the kingdom's male guardianship system.

She's the latest to be swept up in a government crackdown on activists, clerics and journalists.

More than a dozen women's rights activists have been targeted since May.

A move at odds with the progressive image the government is projecting under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Among the easing social restrictions women are now allowed to drive.

But most of those arrested campaigned for that very right.