RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested more than 14,000 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, an official report has revealed.
From Feb. 3 to 9, a total of 7,708 people were arrested for violations of residency rules, while 4,971 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,791 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 168 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 31 percent were Yemeni, 65 percent Ethiopian, and 4 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 168 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 13 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.
The authorities transferred 87,424 offenders to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents. A further 2,564 people were transferred to complete their travel reservations and 6,935 were deported.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be aiding illegal entry to the Kingdom, including transporting and providing shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), or confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
