Within a week, authorities in various parts of the Kingdom detained some 16,250 people for breaking residence, labor, and border security rules. The Ministry of Interior reports that the arrests were made during combined field operations that various security force units around the Kingdom carried out during the week of August 31 to September 6.There were 2,352 labor law violators, 4,555 border security rule offenders, and 9,343 residency system violators who were all detained.
Another 785 individuals were detained as they attempted to enter the Kingdom; 62% of them were Yemenis, 27% were Ethiopians, and 11% were from other nationalities. Additionally, 18 individuals were detained when they attempted to leave Saudi Arabia at the same border crossing.
Thirteen people were detained for engaging in cover-up operations, harboring and transporting people who were breaking the law about where they might live and work.Currently, 42,269 violators—of whom 35,045 are male and 7,224 are female—are being dealt with for breaking rules.Of these, 9,777 violators were deported, 2,004 violators were directed to finalize their trip arrangements, and 36,316 violators were sent to their diplomatic missions to get travel papers.
The Ministry of Interior emphasized that anyone who aids an infiltrator’s entry into the Kingdom or provides him with transportation, lodging, or any other kind of assistance or service will be punished with up to 15 years in prison, a maximum fine of SR1 million, as well as the confiscation of the means of transportation and accommodation.
