Saudi Arabia Arrests 14,970 Residency and Labor Violators, Deports 12,613 in One Week

RIYADH, Aug 1: Saudi authorities arrested 14,970 people in one week for violating residency, labor and border security regulations, the Ministry of Interior announced.

The arrests were made during joint inspection campaigns conducted across the Kingdom from July 23 to July 29. Among those detained, 7,103 were held for residency law violations, 3,654 for illegal border crossing attempts, and 3,397 for labor-related violations.

The ministry said 1,418 people were arrested while attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally, with 54 percent identified as Ethiopian nationals, 45 percent as Yemeni nationals, and 1 percent from other nationalities. Authorities also arrested 23 people attempting to cross into neighboring countries and 17 individuals involved in transporting or sheltering violators.

Following the enforcement operations, 12,613 violators were deported from the Kingdom, according to the Ministry of Interior.

Authorities warned that anyone found facilitating illegal entry, providing transportation, or sheltering violators could face severe penalties, including imprisonment of up to 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million, and confiscation of vehicles and property used in such activities.

The Ministry urged residents to report suspected violations by calling 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other areas of the Kingdom.