Saudi Arabia Arrests Over 21,000 for Residency and Border Violations

Saudi Arabia Arrests Over 21,000 for Residency and Border Violations
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Saudi authorities arrested 21,058 people in one week for breaching residency, labor, and border security regulations, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Saturday. The report showed 12,558 individuals were detained for violating residency laws, 5,500 for attempting illegal border crossings, and 3,000 for labor-related offenses.

Of those arrested while trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 52% were Ethiopian, 47% Yemeni, and 1% from other nationalities. Authorities also caught 28 people trying to cross into neighboring countries and detained 37 for transporting or sheltering violators.

The Ministry of Interior warned that facilitating illegal entry, including providing shelter or transportation, can lead to up to 15 years in prison, fines up to SR1 million ($267,000), and confiscation of vehicles and property. Residents are urged to report suspected violations through toll-free numbers 911 (Makkah and Riyadh) and 999 or 996 elsewhere.