RIYADH, Nov 5: The Saudi authorities took into custody a total of 16,695 individuals within a week for various violations related to residency, work, and border security, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency on a Saturday.

According to an official statement, 10,518 individuals were apprehended due to infringements of residency laws, while 3,953 were detained for attempting illegal border crossings, and an additional 2,224 were held for labor-related transgressions.

The report revealed that out of the 783 individuals arrested for attempting unauthorized entry into the Kingdom, 57 percent were of Yemeni nationality, 42 percent were Ethiopian, and 1 percent belonged to other nationalities.

Moreover, 32 individuals were intercepted while trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 18 were detained for their involvement in the transportation and harboring of violators.

As of now, the authorities have transferred 43,535 offenders to their respective diplomatic missions to facilitate the acquisition of travel documents. Simultaneously, 1,995 individuals have been moved to complete their travel arrangements, and 8,603 have been repatriated.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has issued a stern warning that individuals found facilitating illegal entry into the Kingdom, which includes providing transportation and shelter, could face severe penalties. These penalties may include imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), or the confiscation of their vehicles and property.

Any suspicions regarding violations can be reported through toll-free numbers: 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions and 999 or 996 in other regions across the Kingdom.