Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Around 16,649 violators of residency, labor laws and border security regulations were arrested in various regions of the Kingdom within a week.
According to the Ministry of Interior the arrests were made during the joint field campaigns carried out by various units of the security forces across the Kingdom during the week from March 16 to 22.
The arrests included 9,259 violators of the residency system, 4,899 violators of the border security rules, and 2,491 violators of the labor laws.
Another 1,132 people were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom, 45% were Yemenis, 52% Ethiopians, and 3% of other nationalities, with 68 violators being caught trying to cross the border to exit Saudi Arabia.
Eighteen persons, who were involved in transporting and harboring violators of residency and work regulations and practiced cover up activities, were arrested.
A total of 15,782 violators are currently subjected to procedures for violating regulations, of which 13,415 are men and 2,367 are women.
Of them 7,722 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 1,933 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations, and 12,765 violators were deported.
The Ministry of Interior emphasized that anyone who facilitates the entry of an infiltrator into the Kingdom or gives him transportation or shelter or any assistance or service shall be punished with penalties of up to 15 years in prison, and a maximum fine of SR1 million, in addition to the confiscation of the means of transportation and accommodation.