Saudi Arabian authorities have arrested more than 15,800 individuals for violating residency, labour, and border security regulations during nationwide enforcement operations conducted over the past week.
According to the Ministry of Interior, joint inspection campaigns carried out between 24 Muharram and 1 Safar 1448 AH led to the arrest of 15,836 offenders. The figure includes 7,892 residency law violators, 4,617 border security law violators, and 3,327 labour law violators.
The ministry also disclosed that 1,631 people were intercepted while attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally. Of those arrested, 65 percent were Ethiopian nationals, 33 percent were Yemenis, while the remaining 2 percent were from other nationalities.
In a related development, security agencies arrested 42 individuals attempting to leave Saudi Arabia unlawfully. Another 21 suspects were apprehended for allegedly transporting, harbouring, employing, or assisting violators of residency, labour, and border security laws.
Officials further revealed that 30,139 violators—comprising 28,087 men and 2,052 women are currently undergoing legal procedures. So far, 17,273 have been referred to obtain travel documents, 6,160 are completing travel arrangements, while 12,211 have already been deported from the Kingdom.
The Ministry of Interior reiterated its warning that anyone found facilitating the illegal entry, transportation, accommodation, or employment of undocumented migrants could face up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, as well as the confiscation of vehicles or property used in committing the offence.
The ministry also called on members of the public to report violations through the designated emergency numbers 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 or 996 in other regions assuring that all reports are treated confidentially and that informants bear no legal liability.
(Saudi Gazette)