Saudi Interior Ministry Detains 20,667 For Various Legal Violations In A Week

The Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia has recently disclosed the outcomes of its latest campaigns aimed at identifying and addressing violations of residency, labor, and border security laws within the Kingdom. Conducted across all regions from April 4 to April 10, 2024, these efforts have led to significant findings.

A total of 20,667 individuals were found in violation of various laws, with the majority, 14,805, breaching the Residency Law. Additionally, 3,860 were found to have violated the Border Security Law, and 2,002 infringed upon the Labor Law. The crackdown also spotlighted attempts to illegally cross into the Kingdom, capturing 959 individuals in the act. A breakdown of their nationalities reveals that 44% were Yemenis, 53% Ethiopians, and the remaining 3% comprised other nationalities. Furthermore, 58 individuals were apprehended for attempting to leave the country unlawfully.

The campaign also targeted those aiding violators, resulting in nine arrests related to transporting, sheltering, employing, or otherwise assisting those who contravene these laws. In a broader sweep to ensure compliance among expatriates, out of 63,087 individuals required to adhere to regulations, 58,708 were men and 4,379 were women.

As part of the corrective measures taken, a significant number of violators were processed for repatriation. Specifically, 54,732 were referred to their respective diplomatic missions for travel document acquisition, 2,828 were instructed to finalize their travel bookings, and 6,271 faced deportation.

The Ministry has issued a stern warning against anyone found facilitating illegal entry into Saudi Arabia or providing any form of assistance to violators within its borders. Such actions are considered major offenses and could attract penalties including up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching SAR1 million.

To bolster community involvement in maintaining law and order regarding residency and labor regulations, the Ministry encourages the public to report any suspected violations. Residents in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions can do so by calling 911. Meanwhile, those in other parts of the Kingdom are advised to use the numbers 999 and 996 for their reports.

With inputs from SPA