Over 17,000 illegal residents arrested in Saudi Arabia in a week

Dubai: Some 17,153 illegal residents were arrested across Saudi Arabia following coordinated security campaigns conducted between April 24 and April 30, the Ministry of Interior has announced.

The arrests were made during joint field inspections carried out as part of a large-scale nationwide campaign targeting individuals in violation of residency, labour and border security laws.

The arrests included 10,305 violators of the Residency Law, 3,644 violators of the Border Security Law, and 3,204 violators of the Labour Law.

Meanwhile, 1,109 individuals were apprehended while attempting to illegally cross the border into the Kingdom, of whom 62 per cent were Ethiopian nationals, 35 per cent Yemeni nationals, and 3 per cent from other nationalities.

Authorities also arrested 13 individuals for facilitating violations by providing transportation, shelter, or employment to those residing in the country illegally.

Currently, 28,706 violators — including 27,022 men and 1,684 women—are undergoing legal procedures. Of these, 20,537 have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to secure travel documents, 2,484 are completing travel bookings, and 15,402 have already been deported.

The ministry reiterated that aiding violators in any way is a serious offence, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to SAR 1 million, and the confiscation of vehicles and property used in the crime.

Citizens and residents are urged to report violations by calling 911 in the regions of Mecca, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 or 996 in other parts of the Kingdom.