Over 3.2 million violators apprehended

Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — As of last Thursday, a total of 3,245,652 people have been arrested by the Saudi security authorities in an ongoing crackdown against illegal residents since Nov. 4, 2018. A total of 813,655 violators of various regulations have so far been deported, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Among those apprehended, 2,530,2327 were for violating the residency regulations while 500,454 for violating the labor regulations and another 214,966 others were caught for breaching border security rules.

The security officials said 54,496 people were caught while sneaking into the country across its southern border with Yemen, of them Ethiopians make up 49 percent while Yemenis represent 48 percent and others constitute three percent. A total of 2,391 people were arrested while attempting to leave the country illegally across its land borders.

As many as 3,879 people, including 1,323 Saudi nationals, have been arrested for providing shelter and transportation to illegal residents since the start of the campaign.

The officials said that 429,813 violators were referred to their concerned embassies and consulates to issue them with travel documents while 545,074 others who obtained their documents were completing their travel procedures ahead of their final departure from the country.

According to the officials, 12,440 violators are currently held in various detention centers in the Kingdom, awaiting legal procedures. They include 10,661 men and 1,779 women.