JEDDAH: Saudi authorities arrested 14,509 violators of residency, labor laws and border security regulations from various regions of the Kingdom within a week, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The arrests were made between July 28-Aug. 3 during joint field campaigns carried out by security forces units across the Kingdom.
According to the Ministry of Interior, 8,581 people were arrested over violations of residency system rules, 4,337 over border security rules, and 1,591 over labor laws.
Of the 420 people who were arrested for illegally trying to cross the border into the Kingdom, 43 percent were Yemenis, 48 percent Ethiopians, and 9 percent were from other nationalities.
Another 12 people were also arrested for transporting and harboring violators of residency and work regulations and practicing other cover-up activities.
As per the ministry’s report, 54,739 violators comprising 51,658 men and 3,081 women are currently undergoing procedures for violating the regulations.
The Ministry of Interior warns that anyone who facilitates illegal activity will receive a 15-year prison sentence and a maximum fine of SR1million ($267,000).
