Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — The security authorities in Makkah have arrested a number of residents and violators who were caught begging, including two at the Grand Mosque.

The authorities said that it had arrested a resident of Indian nationality due to his attempt to win the worshipers' sympathy in the courtyards of the Grand Mosque by begging, in addition to a visitor of a Moroccan nationality who was begging directly next to the Grand Mosque.

The authorities said that the list of those arrested also included a violator of Yemeni nationality who used crutches to delude people that he had a disability in order to beg from them.

Additionally, a person has been caught exploiting his minor son in order to beg by placing him in a wheelchair. And it turns out that the child is in excellent health.

It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia has begun to impose strict sanctions to prevent begging.

It has started arresting anyone who practices beggary in accordance with the anti-begging law that prohibits begging in all its forms and manifestations in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia' Public Security has confirmed that anyone who is caught practicing beggary, or whoever incites, agrees with, assists or manages beggary in all its forms will face an imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or a fine of not more than SR100,000, or both.