Saudi Arabia detains 12,066 in one week for residency and border violations

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has arrested more than 12,000 individuals in a sweeping weeklong campaign targeting residency, labour and border law violations across the Kingdom, the Ministry of Interior has announced.

Between June 12 and June 18, 12,066 violators were apprehended during coordinated inspections led by security forces in collaboration with various government agencies.

According to the ministry, the detainees include 7,333 violators of the Residency Law, 3,060 violators of the Border Security Law, and 1,673 who breached the Labor Law.

The crackdown resulted in the deportation of 7,238 individuals, while 6,244 were referred to their respective embassies and consulates to obtain travel documents. Another 2,209 individuals were referred to finalize travel arrangements.

Among those detained were 1,206 people intercepted while attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom. Of these, 65 percent were identified as Ethiopian nationals, 32 percent as Yemenis, and the remainder from other nationalities. Authorities also arrested 21 individuals accused of aiding the illegal entrants by providing transportation, shelter, or employment.

As of last week, 13,238 individuals, including 12,015 men and 1,223 women, are undergoing various legal procedures, the ministry said, with punitive measures to follow under Saudi law.

The Ministry of Interior warned that those who facilitate the illegal entry or residency of individuals will face severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to 1 million Saudi riyals. Additionally, vehicles and properties used in such activities are subject to confiscation.

-- Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE