Arab News, Sunday, Mar 12, 2023 | Sha'ban 20, 1444
17k held for labor, residency, border violations in KSA
Saudi Arabia:Saudi authorities
arrested more than 17,000 people in one week for breaching residency, work and
border security regulations, according to an official report.
From March 2 to 8, a total of 9,875 people were
arrested for violations of residency rules, while 4,784 were held over illegal
border crossing attempts, and a further 2,433 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 936 people
arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 50 percent were Yemeni, 47
percent Ethiopian, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 99 people were caught trying to cross
into neighboring countries, and 17 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.