Dubai: Saudi Arabia has arrested more than 20,000 people last week in a sweeping crackdown on violations of residency, labour and border laws, the Ministry of Interior has said. Among those detained were 11,607 individuals accused of violating residency laws, 5,285 for breaching border security regulations and 3,232 for labor law infractions. Of those, 39 per cent were Yemeni nationals, 60 per cent Ethiopian, and 1 per cent from other countries. Six individuals accused of facilitating illegal entry or aiding violators through transportation, shelter, or employment were also detained. Authorities warned that those caught facilitating illegal entry or harbouring violators could face up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, and confiscation of vehicles or properties used in such activities.
