Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Around 16,860 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 Feb 9 to 15.

The arrests included 9,713 violators of the residency system, 4,029 violators of the border security rules, and 3,118 violators of the labor laws.

Another 515 people were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom, 67% were Yemenis, 28% Ethiopians, and 5% of other nationalities, with 30 violators being caught trying to cross the border to exit Saudi Arabia.

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

A total of 20,934 violators are currently subjected to procedures for violating regulations, of which 18,589 are men and 2,345 are women.

Of them 12,087 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 1,606 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations, and 12,728 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.