Doha, Qatar: Saudi authorities have apprehended over 12,000 for residency and labour law violations, while deporting 17,368 during a week-long campaign targeting residency, labour and border violations.
The Ministry of Interior reported that 12,192 violators were arrested last week in a joint field campaign carried out to monitor and apprehend violators of residency, labour, and border security regulations.
The Ministry noted that 6,606 persons violated residency laws, 3,510 violated border security laws and 2,076 violated labour laws.
Authorities also apprehended 1,454 individuals while attempting to illegally enter the country. It added that of them 67% were Ethiopian nationals, 32% Yemeni nationals and 1% from other nationalities.
In addition, 50 individuals were apprehended while attempting to illegally cross the border out of the Kingdom, while 22 others were found involved in harbouring, transporting, or employing violators.
The Ministry added that the total number of violators currently undergoing legal enforcement procedures stands at 33,223, inclduing 30,666 men and 2,557 women.
Regarding penalties enforced, 17,368 violators have been deported, 6,299 persons have been referred to complete travel procedures and 20,318 violators have been referred to obtain travel documents.
The Ministry, however, warned that anyone facilitating the illegal entry of border security violators, transporting them, providing shelter, or offering any assistance or service in any form, will face penalties of up to 15 years imprisonment, a fine of up to SAR 1 million, confiscation of vehicles and housing used, in addition to public naming (defamation).
