Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — A total of 17,863 illegal residents were arrested during inspections across Saudi Arabia in a week. The inspections were carried out by the security forces in collaboration with the relevant government agencies, during the period between June 26 and July 2, the Ministry of Interior revealed on Saturday.

Those who were arrested include 10,746 violators of the Residency Law, 4,362 violators of the Border Security Law, and 2,755 violators of the Labor Law. The ministry said that a total of 8051 illegal residents were deported while 6,839 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents and 2,392 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations.

The total number of people who were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom accounted for 1,507, of whom 33 percent were Yemeni nationals, 65 percent Ethiopian nationals, and two percent belonged to other nationalities. Some 26 people, involved in giving transportation, shelter, and employment for violators, were also arrested.

A total of 13,362 illegal residents, including 11,874 men and 1,488 women, are currently undergoing various phases of legal procedures as part of punitive measures against them.

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 may be penalized with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SR1 million. It noted 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.