Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Around 14,631 violators of residency, labor laws and border security regulations were arrested in various regions of the Kingdom within a week.

According to the Ministry of Interior the arrests were made during the joint field campaigns carried out by various units of the security forces across the Kingdom during the week from August, 11 to 17.

The arrests included 8,756 violators of the residency system, 4,007 violators of the border security rules, and 1,868 violators of the labor laws.

Another 224 people were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom, 26% were Yemenis, 61% Ethiopians, and 13% of other nationalities, with 33 violators being caught trying to cross the border to go out of Saudi Arabia.

Twenty-three people were involved in transporting and harboring violators of residency and work regulations and practiced cover up activities, were arrested.

A total of 48,951 violators are currently subjected to the procedures for violating the regulations, of which 45,955 are men and 2,996 are women.

Of them 38,184 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 2,210 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations, and 13,711 violators were deported.

The Ministry of Interior emphasized that anyone who facilitates the entry of an infiltrator into the Kingdom or gives him transportation or shelter or any assistance or service shall be punished with penalties of up to 15 years in prison, and a maximum fine of SR1million in addition to the confiscation of the means of transportation and accommodation.