Riyadh: In a series of inspection campaigns conducted across Saudi Arabia between October 30 and November 5, the Ministry of Interior recorded a total of 21,647 violations related to residency, labor, and border security laws. These violations included 12,838 related to residency, 4,564 to border security, and 4,245 to labor laws.
According to Saudi Press Agency, border authorities apprehended 1,943 individuals attempting to illegally enter the Kingdom. Of those apprehended, 45% were Yemeni nationals, 54% were Ethiopians, and the remaining 1% were from other nationalities. Additionally, 37 individuals were arrested for attempting to exit the Kingdom illegally.
The operations also led to the arrest of 26 people involved in the transportation, sheltering, and employment of the violators. Currently, a total of 32,801 expatriates, comprising 31,207 men and 1,594 women, are undergoing procedures to enforce regulations.
Meanwhile, 21,800 individuals detained for violating regulations have been instructed to contact their respective embassies or consulates to secure necessary travel documents. Furthermore, 6,012 individuals have been advised to make travel arrangements, and 12,098 have already been repatriated.
The Ministry of Interior issued a warning that individuals who facilitate illegal entry, transportation, or sheltering of violators could face penalties of up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching SAR1 million. Moreover, vehicles used for transportation and properties used for sheltering violators may be subject to confiscation.
The ministry stressed that these acts are considered major crimes warranting arrest and urged the public to report any violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or 999 and 996 in other parts of the Kingdom.