14,796 violators of residency, labor and border security laws arrested in a week

RIYADH — Saudi security forces arrested a total of 14,796 illegal residents in a week. The arrests were made in joint inspections, carried out in collaboration with the relevant government agencies, during the period between Sept.3 and Sept. 9, the Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday. Those who were arrested include 7,504 violators of the Residency Law, 3,783 violators of the Border Security Law, and 3,509 violators of the Labor Law. The total number of people who were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom accounted for 1,273, of whom 44 percent were Yemeni nationals, 55 percent Ethiopian nationals, and one percent belonged to other nationalities. About 25 people were arrested while attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally. A total of 12,057 illegal residents were deported while 18,677 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents and 3,487 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations. Twenty one persons, who were involved in giving transportation, shelter, and employment for violators, were also arrested. A total of 30,257 expatriates, including 28,529 men and 1,728 women, are currently undergoing procedures to enforce legal measures for their violations. The Ministry of Interior has warned that any person, who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them on its territory, provides them with shelter or any other assistance or service, will be penalized with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SR1 million, and that the vehicles used for transportation or houses used for giving shelter will be confiscated. The ministry urged the public to report any cases of violation by calling the number 911 in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province and the numbers 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions.