Saudi Arabia arrests more than 15,000 violators in one week
Saudi authorities arrested 15,288 people for residency, work, and border security violations during nationwide inspections conducted between June 11 and June 17, the Interior Ministry said, the Saudi Gazette reported.The arrests were carried out through joint field operations in which security services and other government authorities throughout the Kingdom participated.According to the ministry, 7,864 people were arrested for violating residency rules, while 4,576 people were arrested for border security violations and another 2,848 were arrested for labor law violations.Security forces also intercepted 1,668 people trying to enter Saudi Arabia illegally during the reporting period.
The ministry said that 53% of those detained at the border are Ethiopian citizens, 46% are Yemenis, and the remaining 1% belong to other nationalities.The authorities also arrested 54 people who were trying to leave the Kingdom illegally.The Ministry said that executive measures against violators are still ongoing. Currently, 23,587 expatriates, including 21,758 men and 1,829 women, are subject to legal procedures.
During the same period, the Saudi authorities deported 10,458 violators, while 15,109 people were referred to its diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents. A further 1,979 individuals were referred to complete travel arrangements before their departure.Officials also arrested 24 people accused of facilitating violations by providing transportation, shelter, or work to individuals residing in the kingdom illegally.The Ministry of Interior confirmed that anyone proven to have assisted illegal entrants or violators by transporting, harboring or employing them may face severe penalties.Under Saudi law, perpetrators may be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to one million Saudi riyals. Vehicles and property used to facilitate such crimes may also be confiscated.The Ministry urged residents to report violations through the emergency number 911 in Mecca, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or by calling 999 and 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
