Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Around 117,255 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 Oct. 20 to 26.

The arrests included 9,763 violators of the residency system, 4,911 violators of the border security rules, and 2,581 violators of the labor laws.

Another 585 people were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom, 48% were Yemenis, 49% Ethiopians, and 3% of other nationalities, with 157 violators being caught trying to cross the border to exit Saudi Arabia.

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

A total of 52,916 violators are currently subjected to procedures for violating regulations, of which 48,782 are men and 4,134 are women.

Of them 42,113 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 2,312 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations, and 10,034 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.