RIYADH: The Saudi Press Agency said on Saturday that 22,993 persons were arrested by Saudi officials in a single week for violating laws pertaining to residency, employment, and border security. An official report states that 14,269 persons were arrested for breaking residency restrictions, 5,230 were detained for attempting to cross the border illegally, and 3,494 were detained for labor-related reasons.
Ethiopians made up 58% of the 1,378 individuals detained for attempting to enter the Kingdom unlawfully, followed by Yemenis (41%), and persons of other nationalities (1%), according to the report. An further 80 individuals were apprehended while attempting to enter nearby nations, while 19 were detained for their role in harbouring and transporting violators. According to the Ministry of Interior, anyone caught helping someone enter the Kingdom illegally—including by offering them a place to stay or transportation—may be imprisoned for up to 15 years, fined up to SR1 million ($260,000), and have their property and cars seized. The toll-free numbers for reporting suspected infractions are 911 in Makkah and Riyadh and 999 or 996 in other parts of the Kingdom.
Also Read:
At the Riyadh Event, a Saudi Physician gives a Heartfelt Statement about Altruistic Healthcare
