Arab News, Sunday, Mar 19, 2023 | Sha'ban 27, 1444
Saudi Arabia arrests 16,471 illegals in one week
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi authorities arrested 16,471 people in one week for breaching residency,
work and border security regulations, according to an official report.
From March 9 to 15, a total of 9,025 people were
arrested for violations of residency rules, while 5,105 were held over illegal
border crossing attempts, and a further 2,341 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,184 people
arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 42 percent were Yemeni, 56
percent Ethiopian, and 2 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 120 people were caught trying to cross
into neighboring countries, and 14 were held for involvement in transporting and
harboring violators.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior said that anyone
found to be aiding illegal entry to the Kingdom, including transporting and
providing shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of
up to SR1 million($260,000), or confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the
toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other
regions of the Kingdom.