Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Around 16,301 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 Jan 19 to 25.

The arrests included 9,274 violators of the residency system, 4,395 violators of the border security rules, and 2,632 violators of the labor laws.

Another 532 people were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom, 48% were Yemenis, 44% Ethiopians, and 8% of other nationalities, with 95 violators being caught trying to cross the border to exit Saudi Arabia.

Sixteen persons, who were involved in transporting and harboring violators of residency and work regulations and practiced cover up activities, were arrested.

A total of 26,279 violators are currently subjected to procedures for violating regulations, of which 24,315 are men and 1,964 are women.

Of them 18,035 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 1,609 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations, and 12,051 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 SR1 million, in addition to the confiscation of the means of transportation and accommodation.