RYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 12,974 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 8,044 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,395 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 1,535 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 815 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 54 percent were Ethiopian, 41 percent Yemeni, and 5 percent were of other nationalities.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom 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.