Daijiworld Media Network – Riyadh

Riyadh, Aug 2: More than 14,000 people have been arrested across Saudi Arabia during a week-long enforcement campaign targeting residency, labour and border security violations, the Ministry of Interior said.

The operation, conducted from July 23 to July 29, resulted in the arrest of 14,154 individuals, according to the ministry.

Among those arrested, 7,103 were held for residency law violations, 3,654 for border security offences and 3,397 for labour law violations.

Authorities also intercepted 1,418 people attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally. Of those detained, 54 per cent were Yemeni nationals, 45 per cent were Ethiopian nationals and the remaining 1 per cent belonged to other countries.

In separate cases, 23 people were arrested for allegedly attempting to leave Saudi Arabia illegally, while 17 others were detained for transporting, sheltering, employing or concealing individuals violating residency, labour and border security regulations.

The Ministry of Interior said legal procedures are currently underway against 30,679 individuals, including 28,187 men and 2,492 women.

It added that 17,903 people have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 5,424 are completing travel arrangements, and 12,613 have already been deported.

Authorities also warned that individuals assisting illegal entry, transporting violators, providing shelter or offering any form of support to offenders could face severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, confiscation of vehicles and property used in the offence, and public disclosure of their identities.