Saudi Arabia arrests over 14,500 for residency, labor, and border violations

Saudi security forces apprehended a total of 14,542 individuals violating residency, labor, and border security laws during a week of intensified inspections. The crackdown, conducted between August 6 and August 12, targeted illegal residents across the Kingdom.

The Ministry of Interior announced that the arrested individuals included 7,216 people violating residency regulations, 3,843 infringing on border security laws, and 3,483 contravening labor laws. These joint operations involved collaboration with various relevant government agencies.

During the same period, 1,457 individuals were arrested attempting to cross the border into Saudi Arabia. Of these, 32 percent were Yemeni nationals and 67 percent were Ethiopian nationals, with the remaining one percent belonging to other nationalities. Additionally, 19 people were caught trying to leave the Kingdom illegally.

The government has initiated deportation procedures for 12,945 illegal residents. Another 18,818 violators have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to secure necessary travel documents, while 6,355 individuals are completing arrangements for their departure. Twenty-two people were also apprehended in connection with other unspecified offenses.