Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Around 16,105 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 16 to 22.

The arrests included 9,551 violators of the residency system, 3,977 violators of the border security rules, and 2,577 violators of the labor laws.

Another 393 people were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom, 36% were Yemenis, 52% Ethiopians, and 12% of other nationalities, with 37 violators being caught trying to cross the border to exit Saudi Arabia.

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

A total of 22,745 violators are currently subjected to procedures for violating regulations, of which 19,857 are men and 2,888 are women.

Of them 15,144 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 1,653 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations, and 8,962 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.