Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi security authorities have arrested a total of 21,997 illegal residents last week. The arrests were made during the joint inspections, carried out by the security forces in collaboration with the relevant government agencies, during the period between Aug. 7 and Aug. 13, the Ministry of Interior revealed on Saturday.

Those who were arrested included 13,434 violators of the Residency Law, 4,697 violators of the Border Security Law, and 3,866 violators of the Labor Law.

The total number of people who were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom accounted for 1,787, of whom 35 percent were Yemeni nationals, 64 percent Ethiopian nationals, and one percent belonged to other nationalities. A total of 27 people were arrested while attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.

A total of 18,149 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents while 2,973 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations and 12,861 violators were deported. Some 18people involved in giving transportation, shelter, and employment for violators were also arrested. A total of 25,439 expatriates, including 22,837 men and 2,602 women, are currently undergoing procedures to enforce regulations.

The Ministry of Interior has warned that any person, who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them on its territory, provides them with shelter or any other assistance or service will be penalized with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SR1 million, and that the vehicles used for transportation or houses used for giving shelter will be confiscated.

The ministry urged the public to report any cases of violation by calling the number 911 in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province and the numbers 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions.