Arab News, Sunday, Feb 05, 2023 | Rajab 14, 1444
16k held for labor, residency, border violations in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Saudi authorities
arrested more than 16,000 people in one week for breaching residency, work and
border security regulations, according to an official report.
From Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, a total of 9,343 people
were arrested for violations of residency rules, while 4,107 were held over
illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,838 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 488 people
arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 63 percent were Yemeni, 30
percent Ethiopian, and 7 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 17 people were caught trying to cross
into neighboring countries, and 19 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.