RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 20,688 individuals in one week for violating residency, labor, and border regulations.
Of those arrested, 3,566 were jailed for labor-related charges, 4,750 for illegal border crossing attempts, and 12,372 for residency infractions, according to the report.
Sixty-one percent of the 1,264 individuals detained while trying to enter the Kingdom illegally were Ethiopian, 36 percent were Yemeni, and three percent were of other nationalities. Ninety-three more people were apprehended attempting to enter nearby nations.
Authorities also detained 27 people for facilitating violations by transporting or sheltering offenders.
The Ministry of Interior warned that aiding illegal entry could result in up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million ($260,000), and confiscation of vehicles or property.
It is recommended that the public report infractions by calling 911 in Makkah and Riyadh, or 999/996 in other areas.
[Reported by Saudi Press Agency]
