Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Around 16,407 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 March 23 to 29.

The arrests included 9,609 violators of the residency system, 4,561 violators of the border security rules, and 2,237 violators of the labor laws.

Another 1,086 people were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom, 22% were Yemenis, 74% Ethiopians, and 4% of other nationalities, with 64 violators being caught trying to cross the border to exit Saudi Arabia.

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

A total of 14,327 violators are currently subjected to procedures for violating regulations, of which 12,554 are men and 1,773 are women.

Of them 6,251 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 1,487 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations, and 10,809 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.