RIYADH — Saudi authorities arrested 14,154 violators of residency, labor, and border security laws during nationwide joint inspection campaigns conducted between July 23 and July 29.
The Ministry of Interior said the campaigns resulted in the arrest of 7,103 violators of the Residency Law, 3,654 violators of the Border Security Law, and 3,397 violators of the Labor Law.
Authorities also arrested 1,418 people attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally, of whom 54 percent were Yemeni nationals, 45 percent were Ethiopian nationals, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.
Another 23 people were arrested while attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally, while 17 individuals were apprehended for transporting, sheltering, employing, or concealing violators of residency, labor, and border security laws.
The ministry said 30,679 violators—including 28,187 men and 2,492 women—are currently undergoing legal procedures. It added that 17,903 violators have been referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 5,424 to complete travel reservations, and 12,613 have been deported.
The Ministry of Interior warned that anyone who facilitates the illegal entry of border security violators into the Kingdom, transports them within the country, provides them with shelter, or offers them any form of assistance or service faces penalties of up to 15 years’ imprisonment, fines of up to SR1 million, and the confiscation of the vehicle and accommodation used in the offense, in addition to public naming and shaming.
The ministry said the offense is classified as a major crime warranting arrest and one that breaches honor and trust. It urged the public to report any violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 or 996 in the rest of the Kingdom.
Source: Saudi Gazette