Thousands held for labor, residency, border violations in Saudi Arabia

Saudi authorities arrested 13,384 people in one week. (SPA)
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Updated 20 March 2022
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Thousands held for labor, residency, border violations in Saudi Arabia

  • A further 271 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 15 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 13,384 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, according to an official report.

From March 10 to 16, a total of 7,267 people were arrested for violations of residency rules, while 4,172 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,945 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 294 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 34 percent were Yemeni, 65 percent Ethiopian, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 271 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 15 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be aiding illegal entry to the Kingdom, including transporting and providing shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), or confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.


Saudi Arabia, UAE and allies condemn Gaza ceasefire violations

Updated 34 min 59 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia, UAE and allies condemn Gaza ceasefire violations

  • They joined Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, who on Saturday also condemned ongoing violations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Sunday led renewed regional condemnation of Israel’s repeated violations of the ceasefire in Gaza, which have resulted in the killing and wounding of more than 1,000 Palestinians.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the Kingdom, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkiye said the breaches represented a dangerous escalation that risked inflaming tensions and undermining efforts to restore calm and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They joined Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, who on Saturday condemned what they described as ongoing ceasefire violations and warned they threatened de-escalation efforts and regional stability.

The ministers said the latest developments come at a critical moment, as regional and international efforts intensify to advance the second phase of the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump and implement UN Security Council Resolution 2803, SPA added.

They warned that the repeated violations pose a direct threat to the political process and could derail attempts to create the conditions for a more stable phase in Gaza, both in security and humanitarian terms. They stressed the need for full adherence to the ceasefire to ensure the success of the next phase of the peace plan.

The statement called on all parties to assume their responsibilities during this sensitive period, exercise maximum restraint, sustain the ceasefire, and avoid any actions that could undermine current diplomatic efforts. It also urged steps to facilitate early recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.

Reaffirming their commitment to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, the ministers said this must be based on the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state, in line with international law, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.