Key points
- 17,886 people have been apprehended for violations of residency laws
- Around 4,247 have been arrested over illegal border-crossing attempts
- Saudi Interior Ministry urges people to report any violations
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 25,150 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
A total of 17,886 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,247 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,017 for labour-related issues, Arab News reported.
The report showed that among the 1,553 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 69 per cent were Ethiopian, 28 per cent Yemeni, and three per cent were of other nationalities.
Neighbouring countries
A further 63 people were caught trying to cross into neighbouring countries, and 36 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, according to the SPA.
Saudi Ministry of Interior has warned that any person who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them on its territory, provides them with shelter or any other assistance or service may be penalised with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR1 million, and that the vehicles used for transport or houses used for shelter may be confiscated, the SPA added.
The ministry stressed 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 Kingdom, the SPA reported.
