Last week, authorities from the Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia carried out extensive inspection raids across the Kingdom, resulting in the arrest of 20,718 individuals suspected of being illegal residents.
The arrests occurred between August 22 and August 28 during combined field security campaigns executed by security personnel alongside relevant government agencies.
Breakdown of Violations and Arrests
Among the detainees, 13,248 were apprehended for violations of the Residency Law, 4,688 for breaching the Border Security Law, and 2,782 for infringing the Labor Law. Additionally, 744 individuals were caught attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally, with 37% being Yemeni, 62% Ethiopian, and 1% from other nationalities. Meanwhile, 69 individuals were arrested while trying to exit the Kingdom illegally.
Legal Consequences and Judicial Procedures
Sixteen others were taken into custody for assisting, transporting, or employing lawbreakers. Currently, 14,634 expatriates 13,532 men and 1,102 women are undergoing various stages of judicial procedures. Of those, 12,410 violators have already been deported, while 5,361 were sent to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents. Moreover, 1,982 individuals are finalizing their bookings to return to their home countries.
Strict Penalties for Aiding Illegal Entry
The Ministry of the Interior has issued a stern warning, emphasizing that individuals who assist in the illegal entry, transport, or provision of services to these lawbreakers can face severe penalties. These include up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, and the confiscation of vehicles or houses used for sheltering offenders.
Reporting Violations
The ministry urges citizens and residents to report any violations by contacting 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions, and 999 or 996 in the other provinces of the Kingdom.
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