Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Around 14,750 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, 25 to 31.

The arrests included 8,684 violators of the residency system, 4,028 violators of the border security rules, and 2,038 violators of the labor laws.

Another 225 people were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom, 30% were Yemenis, 58% Ethiopians, and 12% of other nationalities, with 34 violators being caught trying to cross the border to go out of Saudi Arabia.

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

A total of 44,974 violators are currently subjected to the procedures for violating the regulations, of which 42,064 are men and 2,910 are women.

Of them 33,812 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 2,151 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations, and 10,847 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.