RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested nearly 14,000 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, an official report has revealed.
From Jan. 13 to 19, a total of 6,895 people were arrested for violations of residency rules, while 5,123 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,762 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 391 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 30 percent were Yemeni, 62 percent Ethiopian, and 8 percent other nationalities.
A further 36 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 26 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.
The total number of violators who were subjected to procedures was 95,650, including 85,243 men and 10,407 women.
The authorities transferred 84,072 offenders to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents. A further 2,947 people were transferred to complete their travel reservations and 6,728 were deported.
The Ministry of Interior said that whoever facilitates the entry of violators to the Kingdom, transports them or provides shelter or any other form of support will face imprisonment for up to 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), confiscation of the means of transport or residence employed in the violation, and defamation.
The ministry called on people to report any violation on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions. For all other regions of the Kingdom, the numbers are 999 and 996.
