Saudi Arabia arrested more than 16,560 people in the past week as it looks to stop residency, labour and security breaches.
The inspection campaigns carried out in all regions of the Kingdom from June 27 to July 3, 2024, to check compliance with residency, work and border security regulations, saw 16,565 violations recorded, including
- 9,969 of residency
- 4,676 of border security
- 1,920 of labour laws
Saudi residency, labour and security arrests
Some 1,244 individuals attempted to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally, of whom 37 per cent were Yemenis, 60 per cent Ethiopians, and three per cent of other nationalities.
63 people were arrested for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.
Three people involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators were arrested.
A total of 20,780 expatriates (19,396 men and 1,384 women) are currently undergoing procedures for enforcing regulations.
12,219 people were detained for violating laws and instructed to contact their countries’ embassies or consulates to obtain proper travel documentation.
2,931 were told to complete booking arrangements for their departure, and 9,663 were repatriated.
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 shelter or any other assistance or service may be penalized with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SR1m ($267,000) and that the vehicles used for transport or houses used for shelter may be impounded.
The ministry stressed that such acts are major crimes that warrant arrest. It also urges people to report any violations by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions and 999 and 996 in the rest of Saudi Arabia.
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