RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 18,538 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
According to an official report, a total of 11,047 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,299 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,192 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 851 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 40 percent were Yemeni, 59 percent Ethiopian, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 55 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and six were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.
So far, authorities have transferred 47,977 offenders to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, while 1,892 were transferred to complete their travel reservations and 9,927 were deported.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as 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 authorities arrest 18,538 illegals in one week
https://arab.news/pchzt
Saudi authorities arrest 18,538 illegals in one week
- A total of 11,047 people were arrested for violations of residency laws
- 4,299 were held over illegal border crossing attempts
Fragrance artisans weave heritage into Jazan Festival experience
Riyadh: Perfumes are emerging as living connections to ancestral memory at the Jazan Festival 2026, which opened on Friday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
A narrative rooted in botanical origins is unfolding as veteran craftswomen showcase decades of accumulated wisdom, transforming the contents of native plants into small vessels that distill the human bond with terrain.
Aromas wafting through the space suggest imagery of regional ecosystems — fragrant vegetation cultivated across highland and lowland zones, harvested during optimal periods, then subjected to extended drying and distillation processes before materializing as perfumes and essences embodying geographical character, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Arranged fragrance containers resemble nature’s output, composed by skilled practitioners versed in harvest timing, plant dormancy requirements and scent extraction methods, yielding products preserving organic integrity and territorial identity.
Craftswoman Fatima bint Mohammed Al-Faifi has dedicated two decades to perfume production, characterizing regional practice as social custom interwoven throughout daily existence — deployed in guest reception, featured at celebrations, accompanying community gathering — elevating scent to cultural signature, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Festival attendees are discovering aromatic botanicals, absorbing production methodology explanations and discerning nuanced olfactory distinctions, demonstrating how craftsmanship blends persistence with expertise, tradition with innovation.
Perfume artisan involvement aligns with Jazan Festival’s initiative repositioning traditional crafts as dynamic, evolving culture while spotlighting women’s contributions safeguarding regional inheritance and expressing this through modern methods, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
