RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Interior has arrested nearly 20,000 for violating the Kingdom’s residency, border security, and labour laws in a week.
The ministry conducted inspection campaigns in the country between November 14 to November 20 to ensure compliance with the residency, labour and border security laws, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Saturday.
Overall, 19,696 violations were recorded: 11,336 of residency, 5,176 of border security, and 3,184 of labour laws.
1,547 individuals were arrested while attempting to cross the border into Saudi Arabia of whom 32% were Yemenis, 65% Ethiopians, and 03% of other nationalities. While 71 people were arrested for attempting to leave the country illegally.
22 people involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators were also arrested. A total of 22,658 expatriates (19,651 men and 3,007 women) are currently undergoing procedures for enforcing regulations.
15,134 people were detained for violating laws and instructed to contact their countries’ embassies or consulates to obtain proper travel documentation. 2,656 were asked to make booking arrangements for their departure, and 10,666 were repatriated.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior has warned that any person who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into Saudi Arabia, transports them on its territory, provides them with shelter or any other assistance or service may be penalized with up to 15 years in jail and a fine of up to SAR1 million, and that the vehicles used for transport or houses used for shelter may be confiscated.
The ministry added that such acts are major crimes that warrant arrest. It also urges people to report any violations by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the country.
