Saudi Arabia arrests nearly 16,400 illegals in a week

Abu Dhabi: Saudi Arabian authorities arrested 16,397 violators of residency, labour and border security laws between August 19 and August 25, the Ministry of Interior said.

The arrests included 5,793 violators of the residency system, 9,145 violators of the border security rules, and 1,459 violators of the labour laws, the ministry added in a statement.

Another 582 people were arrested trying to cross the border into the Kingdom, of whom 45 per cent were Yemenis, 53 per cent Ethiopians, and 2 per cent of other nationalities, with 11 violators being caught trying to cross the border to go out of the country.

Seventeen people were arrested for transporting and providing a safe haven for violators of residency and work regulations.

A total of 80,065 violators are currently subjected to the procedures for violating the regulations, of whom 67,886 are men and 12,197 are women.

Of these 60,941 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents and 8,829 violators were deported.

The Ministry of Interior warned those who facilitate the entry of infiltrators into the Kingdom or provide them with transportation, shelter or any assistance or service face up to 15 years in jail, and a fine of up to SR1 million, in addition to being named and shamed and confiscation of the means of transportation and accommodation.