Saudi Arabia arrested more than 13,440 people in the past week as it looks to stop residency, labour and security breaches.
The inspection campaigns carried out in all regions of the Kingdom from June 14 to June 20, 2024, to check compliance with residency, work and border security regulations, saw 13,445 violations recorded, including
- 8,763 of residency
- 3,230 of border security
- 1,452 of labour laws
Some 1,063 individuals attempted to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally, of whom 36 per cent were Yemenis, 62 per cent Ethiopians, and 2 per cent of other nationalities.
66 people were arrested for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.
One person involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators was arrested.
A total of 22,580 expatriates (21,502 men and 1,078 women) are currently undergoing procedures for enforcing regulations.
15,458 people were detained for violating laws, and they were instructed to contact their countries’ embassies or consulates to obtain proper travel documentation. 1,990 were told to complete booking arrangements for their departure, and 8,099 were repatriated.
The Ministry of Interior has warned that any person who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them on its territory, provides them shelter or any other assistance or service may be penalized with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SR1m ($267,000) and that the vehicles used for transport or houses used for shelter may be impounded.
The ministry stressed that such acts are major crimes that warrant arrest. It also urges people to report any violations by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions and 999 and 996 in the rest of Saudi Arabia.