Saudi Arabia arrests nearly 15,000 residency, labor, border law violators in one week

RIYADH — Saudi authorities arrested 14,970 violators of residency, labor, and border security laws during nationwide joint inspection campaigns conducted between July 16 and July 22. The Ministry of Interior said the campaigns resulted in the arrest of 7,437 violators of the Residency Law, 3,991 violators of the Border Security Law, and 3,542 violators of the Labor Law. Authorities also arrested 1,626 people attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally, of whom 62 percent were Ethiopian nationals, 37 percent were Yemeni nationals, and 1 percent were of other nationalities. Another 33 people were arrested while attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally, while 18 individuals were apprehended for transporting, sheltering, employing, or concealing violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations. The ministry said 30,546 violators—including 28,557 men and 1,989 women—are currently undergoing legal procedures. It added that 17,747 violators have been referred to obtain travel documents, 6,113 to complete travel reservations, and 13,251 have been deported. The Ministry of Interior warned that anyone who facilitates the illegal entry, transportation, sheltering, or employment of border security violators faces penalties of up to 15 years' imprisonment, fines of up to SR1 million, and the confiscation of any vehicles or property used in the offense. The ministry urged the public to report any violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 in the rest of the Kingdom, stressing that all reports are handled with complete confidentiality and that informants bear no legal responsibility.