RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior conducted inspection campaigns across the Kingdom between September 05 and September 08 to ensure compliance with residency, labour and border security laws, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Across the Kingdom, 22,373 violations were recorded: 14,216of residency, 4,943of border security, and 3,214of labour laws.
Attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally were 1,507 individuals, of whom 46% were Yemenis, 53% were Ethiopians, and 01% were of other nationalities; 80 people were arrested for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.
Seven people involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators were arrested. A total of 15,536 expatriates (14,203 men and 1,333 women) are currently undergoing procedures for enforcing regulations.
Six thousand, three hundred and ninety-five people were detained for violating laws and instructed to contact their countries’ embassies or consulates to obtain proper travel documentation; 2,030 were told to make booking arrangements for their departure, and 13,475 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 with shelter or any other assistance or service may be penalized with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR1 million and that the vehicles used for transport or houses used for shelter may be confiscated.
The Ministry of Interior 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 the Kingdom.
