https://arab.news/6jywj
- 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 Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 17,257 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
According to an official report, a total of 11,183 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,765 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,309 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 481 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 38 percent were Yemeni, 60 percent Ethiopian, and 2 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 62 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and eight were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.
So far, authorities have transferred 45,773 offenders to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, while 2,394 were transferred to complete their travel reservations and 9,369 were deported.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as 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.