Saudi Arabia arrests over 14,000 in week-long enforcement campaign

More than 14,000 people were arrested across Saudi Arabia during a week-long enforcement campaign targeting residency, labour and border security violations, the Ministry of Interior said, as cited by Saudi Gazette. The operation, conducted between July 23 and July 29, led to the arrest of 14,154 people. Of these, 7,103 were detained for residency violations, 3,654 for border security offences and 3,397 for labour law breaches. Authorities also intercepted 1,418 people attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally. The ministry said 54 per cent were Yemeni nationals, 45 per cent Ethiopian nationals and 1 per cent from other countries. In separate cases, 23 people were arrested for attempting to leave the country illegally, while 17 were detained for allegedly transporting, sheltering, employing or concealing violators of residency, labour and border security laws.

Legal procedures ongoing for more than 30,000 people

The ministry said 30,679 people are currently facing legal procedures, including 28,187 men and 2,492 women. It added that 17,903 individuals have been referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 5,424 are completing travel arrangements, and 12,613 have been deported.

Penalties for assisting violations

Authorities warned that anyone found facilitating illegal entry, transporting violators, providing shelter or offering assistance faces penalties of up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, confiscation of vehicles and property used in the offence, and public naming.