Saudi Arabian authorities have arrested 14,154 people for violating residence, labor, and border security laws in a week in a nationwide joint inspection campaign, Jeddah-based news outlet Saudi Gazette reported.
The country’s Ministry of Interior said that the campaigns from July 23 to 29 resulted in 7,103 arrests for violations of the Residence Law, the highest number, followed by 3,654 for violations of the Border Security Law and 3,397 for violations of the Labor Law.
According to the outlet, authorities also arrested 1,418 people who attempted to enter Saudi Arabia illegally, including Yemeni nationals (54%), Ethiopian nationals (45%), and citizens of other nationalities (1%).
The outlet also reported that another 23 people were arrested while attempting to illegally leave the kingdom, and 17 were apprehended on various charges, including harboring or concealing lawbreakers.
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The ministry said 30,679 violators are currently in legal proceedings, including 2,492 women, according to the outlet. More than half of the violators have been referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents. In addition, 5,424 violators have been referred to complete travel reservations, and 12,613 have been deported from Saudi.
The Ministry of Interior has warned that anyone who helps border security violators enter the state illegally in any way will face the harshest punishment, including a maximum of 15 years in prison.
