Arab News, Sunday, Dec 26, 2021 | Jumada Al-Uola 21, 1443
Saudi Arabia arrests 15,000 illegals in one week
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi authorities arrested more than 15,000 people in one week for breaching
residency, work and border security regulations, an official report has
revealed.
From Dec. 16 to 22, a total of 7,777 people were
arrested for violations of residency rules, while 5,375 were held over illegal
border crossing attempts, and a further 1,924 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 208 people
arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 64 percent were Yemeni and
28 percent were Ethiopian.
A further 34 people were caught trying to cross
into neighboring countries, and 27 were held for involvement in transporting and
harboring violators.
The authorities transferred 81,670 offenders to
their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents. A further 2,242
people were transferred to complete their travel reservations and 8,875 were
deported.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior said that anyone
found to be aiding illegal entry to the Kingdom, including transporting and
providing shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of
up to SR1 million ($260,000), or confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the
toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other
regions of the Kingdom.