Photo: Saudi Public Security/X

Saudi forces have apprehended a four-member criminal network involved in transporting and harboring 36 individuals who violated border security regulations, according to a statement from the kingdom's directorate of public security on X. The gang, consisting of three Saudi citizens and one Yemeni, was caught in a house and a rest area in Riyadh and Wadi Al-Dawasir. Among the violators, one was found with firearms, live ammunition, and cash. The group included 33 Ethiopians and three Yemenis. Saudi forces also confiscated two vehicles used to transport illegals from the Jazan and Asir regions. The violators were detained and handed over to the relevant authorities, while those responsible for their transportation and shelter were transferred to the Public Prosecution.

The Riyadh Police spokesperson highlighted that individuals facilitating the entry of border security violators into the kingdom, transporting them within the country, providing shelter, or offering any form of assistance or service, face penalties including up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to one million Saudi riyals, confiscation of transportation and housing used for harboring, and public defamation.

Saudi security forces arrested a total of 20,778 illegal residents from various regions of the kingdom between October 31 and November 6, according to a statement from the kingdom's ministry of interior. The arrests included 11,523 violators of the residency law, 5,711 violators of the border security law, and 3,544 violators of the labor law. A total of 1,569 people were arrested while attempting to cross the border into the kingdom, with 24 percent being Yemenis, 73 percent Ethiopians, and three percent from other nationalities. Additionally, 63 individuals were arrested while trying to leave the kingdom illegally. Fifteen people involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators were also arrested. A total of 20,363 expatriates, including 17,915 men and 2,448 women, are currently undergoing various legal procedures as part of punitive measures against them. A total of 12,138 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, while 3,128 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations, and 9,254 violators were deported.

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