Saudi Authorities Crack Down on Violators
In a bold move, Saudi authorities have made nearly 15,000 arrests in just one week for various breaches of residency, work, and border security regulations, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency over the weekend.
A staggering total of 9,479 individuals were apprehended for violating residency laws, with an additional 3,763 detained for attempting illegal border crossings, and 1,430 held for labor-related offenses.
The official report revealed that out of the 996 individuals caught attempting illegal entry into the country, a majority of 64 percent were Ethiopian, 33 percent were Yemeni, and the remaining 3 percent belonged to other nationalities.
Furthermore, 37 individuals were intercepted trying to cross into neighboring countries, while six were taken into custody for their involvement in transporting and harboring violators.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior issued a stern warning that anyone found aiding illegal entry into the Kingdom, whether by providing transportation or shelter, could face severe penalties including up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), and potential confiscation of vehicles and property.
If you suspect any violations, do not hesitate to report them by calling the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, or 999/996 in other parts of the Kingdom.