Saudi Arabia Arrests 16,899 Illegals in a Week
Around 16,899 violators of residency, labor laws and border security regulations were arrested in various regions of the Kingdom within a week.
According to the Ministry of Interior the arrests were made during the joint field campaigns carried out by various units of the security forces across the Kingdom during the week from December 14 to 20.
The arrests included 11,033 violators of the residency system, 3,493 violators of the border security rules, and 2,373 violators of the labor laws.
Another 769 people were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom, 39% were Yemenis, 58% Ethiopians, and 3% of other nationalities, with 80 violators being caught trying to cross the border to exit Saudi Arabia.
Eleven people, who were involved in transporting and harboring violators of residency and work regulations and practiced cover up activities, were arrested.
A total of 52,369 violators are currently subjected to procedures for violating regulations, of which 46,431 are men and 5,938 are women.
Of them 46,743 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 1,716 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations, and 9,147 violators were deported.
The Ministry of Interior emphasized that anyone who facilitates the entry of an infiltrator into the Kingdom or gives him transportation or shelter or any assistance or service shall be punished with penalties of up to 15 years in prison, and a maximum fine of SR1 million, in addition to the confiscation of the means of transportation and accommodation.
