Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH – The Directorate General of Passports (Jawazat) issued 18 administrative decisions slapping penalties on Saudis and expatriates who were found guilty of transporting pilgrims without a Haj permit.

The penalties include jail term, fine, deportation of expatriates, seizure of vehicles, and publicizing names of the violators in newspapers.

Jawazat has taken punitive measures against 17 people. All of them will be sentenced to 15 days in prison. The fines range between SR20,000 and SR140,000. All the expatriates will be deported after serving the jail term and payment of fines, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, the Jeddah branch of the General Car Syndicate said in a statement that its agencies have sent back more than 472,000 illegal pilgrims who tried to enter the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah through various entry points in Jeddah governorate.