RIYADH: Saudi authorities have arrested nearly 15,000 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, an official report has revealed.
From Feb. 10 to Feb. 16, 7,953 people were arrested for violations of residency rules, while 4,732 were held for illegal border crossing attempts and 1,942 for labor-related issues.
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.