Saudi Arabia’s religious police have done the unthinkable: they’ve apologized.

The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which makes sure women aren’t in the same room as unrelated men, remain sufficiently covered when they’re out in public, and that females don’t drive cars, has said "we’re sorry" to Mohammed al Qahtani, who was beaten by police. His alleged crime? Kissing his wife in a car in a mall parking lot, then lying about it.

Qahtani, a 27-year-old influential tribal leader, threatened to take his case to King Abdullah after his reputation was maligned and information regarding the case was released to the public — both of which are big no-nos in the Saudi kingdom, according to The National. In response, officers involved in his arrest were suspended, the PR director sacked, and a new investigation has been launched.

Could this be another sign that Saudi Arabia’s moving away from its traditional conservative Islamic-law? After all, the apology was issued by Abdul Aziz Al-Humain, the less conservative new head of the religious police installed in a recent government shuffle. That reorganization including naming the first-ever woman to a ministerial position. Al-Humain also last week fired three of his officials for violating regulations. Arabic media said that was "one of the major decisions" coming down the pipe from Al-Humain.

It may be too soon to tell, but these are definitely positive steps!