Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Interior announced that punitive measures have been taken against nine Saudi citizens and eight expatriates for violating Hajj regulations. They were arrested by the Hajj Security Forces at the entry points to Makkah while transporting a total of 61 individuals without obtaining a permit to perform Hajj.

The ministry issued administrative decisions through the seasonal administrative committees against the transporters, accomplices, and those transported. According to the decisions, penalties included imprisonment, fines of up to SR100,000, publishing violators' names in the local media at their own expense, deportation of residents and a 10-year ban from re-entering Saudi Arabia after serving their sentence.

The ministry called for the judicial confiscation of vehicles used in the unauthorized transport of pilgrims and the imposition of a fine of up to SR20,000 on those who attempted to perform Hajj without a permit.

The ministry urged all citizens and residents to comply with Hajj regulations and instructions to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims as they perform their rituals.