Saudi Authorities Crack Down on Violations
In a bold move, Saudi authorities have taken action against those who dare to breach residency, work, and border security regulations. A whopping 21,049 individuals were arrested in just one week, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency.
Residency laws were at the forefront of the violations, with 13,209 people being apprehended for breaking these laws. Additionally, 5,177 individuals were held for attempting to illegally cross the border, while another 2,663 were caught up in labor-related issues.
The report highlighted that a significant number of those attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally were Ethiopian and Yemeni nationals, making up 99% of the total. A mere 1% belonged to other nationalities.
Not stopping there, authorities also apprehended 42 individuals attempting to cross into neighboring countries, and five were caught aiding and abetting violators.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior issued a stern warning that anyone found facilitating illegal entry into the Kingdom could face severe consequences. This includes imprisonment for up to 15 years, a hefty fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), and the confiscation of vehicles and property.
To combat such violations, the Ministry has urged the public to report any suspicious activities through toll-free numbers, such as 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom. It seems like the authorities are not taking any chances when it comes to maintaining security and order.