Riyadh: In a week-long inspection campaign conducted across Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Interior documented 22,613 violations related to residency, labor, and border security laws. These inspections, held between October 16 and 22, revealed 13,652 violations concerning residency, 4,394 regarding border security, and 4,567 related to labor laws.
According to Saudi Press Agency, border authorities detained 1,699 individuals attempting illegal entry into the Kingdom. Among these, 45% were Yemenis, 54% Ethiopians, and 1% from other nationalities. Authorities also arrested 35 individuals attempting illegal exits from the Kingdom. Moreover, 23 people were apprehended for their involvement in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators.
Current procedures are being enforced on 31,374 expatriates, which include 29,814 men and 1,560 women. Additionally, 23,021 individuals detained for regulatory violations have been instructed to contact their respective embassies or consulates for travel documents. Of these, 3,939 individuals have been advised to arrange travel, while 14,039 have already been repatriated.
The Ministry of Interior has issued a stern warning that facilitating illegal entry, transportation, or sheltering of individuals in the Kingdom could result in penalties of up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching SAR1 million. Additionally, vehicles and properties used in such activities may be confiscated.
The ministry highlighted the severity of these acts as major crimes warranting arrest and urged the public to report any observed violations by contacting 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or 999 and 996 in other parts of the Kingdom.