Abu Dhabi: As many as 16,466 violators of residency, labour and border security laws were arrested across Saudi Arabia between September 9 and September 15, the Ministry of Interior said.
The arrests included 6,470 violators of the residency system, 8,182 violators of the border security rules, and 1,814 violators of the labour laws, the ministry added in a statement.
Another 304 people were arrested trying to cross the border into the Kingdom, of whom 32 per cent were Yemenis, 64 per cent Ethiopians, and 4 per cent of other nationalities, with 21 violators being caught trying to cross the border to go out of the country.
Thirteen people were arrested for transporting and providing a safe haven for violators of residency and work regulations.
A total of 84,038 violators are currently subjected to the procedures for violating the regulations, of whom 73,291 are men and 10,747 are women.
Of these 66,956 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents and 9,144 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.