Overview of Recent Arrests and Violations
In a span of one week, 20,471 individuals were arrested by joint field campaigns conducted by the Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia. These campaigns targeted violations related to residency, employment, and border security across all regions of the Kingdom from August 1 to August 7, 2024.
Breakdown of Violations and Arrests
- Violations by Category:
A total of 20,471 violations were identified, including 12,972 related to residency laws, 4,812 related to border security laws, and 2,687 related to labor laws.
- Arrests at Borders:
Among 1,050 individuals arrested while attempting to enter the Kingdom, 36% were Yemeni, 62% were Ethiopian, and 2% were of other nationalities. Additionally, 61 individuals were detained for attempting illegal entry across the border.
- Assistance and Employment Violations:
Twenty individuals were arrested for their involvement in assisting, employing, and transporting those who violated residency, labor, and border security regulations, as well as for covering up their activities.
- Deportations and Travel Arrangements:
14,929 violators are undergoing implementation procedures, including 13,522 men and 1,407 women. Among them, 5,701 were sent to their diplomatic posts for travel documents, 2,494 were directed to finalize travel arrangements, and 9,714 were ordered for deportation.
Legal Consequences for Violators and Assistants
The Ministry of Interior has stated that those who assist or promote border security violations by transporting, sheltering, or providing any form of assistance face severe penalties. These include defamation, fines up to one million riyals, and imprisonment of up to fifteen years.
Reporting and Assistance
The Ministry urged individuals in the Eastern Province, Makkah Al-Mukarramah, and Riyadh to report violations by calling (911). Residents of other regions should call (999) or (996).
