Saudi Authorities Crack Down on Violators
In a swift and decisive move, Saudi authorities have arrested a staggering 21,505 individuals in just one week for various breaches of residency, work, and border security regulations, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency over the weekend.
The crackdown targeted those flouting residency laws, with a whopping 14,323 individuals apprehended for violations in this category. Additionally, 4,778 people were detained for attempting illegal border crossings, and a further 2,404 were caught for labor-related infractions.
Of the 1,295 individuals nabbed for illegal entry attempts into the Kingdom, a breakdown revealed that 61 percent were Ethiopian, 37 percent were Yemeni, and the remaining 2 percent hailed from other nationalities.
Not stopping there, authorities also intercepted 61 individuals trying to sneak into neighboring countries, while nine individuals were arrested for their involvement in the transportation and harboring of violators.
The Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia issued a stern warning, stating that those found aiding illegal entry into the Kingdom by providing transportation or shelter could face severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to 15 years, fines of up to SR1 million ($260,000), and the confiscation of their vehicles and properties.
To combat such violations, the public is encouraged to report any suspicious activities by calling the toll-free numbers 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions across the Kingdom.