Expats to be jailed only for serious crimes

JEDDAH: The Interior Ministry has announced that it would detain expatriates only for major offenses, with fines for those with petty violations.
Suleiman Al-Yahya, director of the Passport Department, said that there are procedures in place to ensure expats are fined immediately for minor infractions, a local publication reported on Tuesday.
During a meeting with directors of expat administrative departments in the Kingdom, he said specialized committees would determine whether expats should be detained or fined.
He said detention centers regularly release between 700 and 900 expats responsible for minor violations, such as failing to carry or renew their residence permits. Such violations are subject to financial penalties, he said.
Al-Yahya said the committees determine whether any expat arriving in the Kingdom is wanted by the police.
During the five-hour meeting, representatives discussed ways to improve their departments and processes.