Saudi Arabia sends back 9,589 expatriates, warns of harsh penalties for law violations

Saudi Arabia has sent 9,589 expatriates back to their home countries. In the same period, 11,587 cases of violations of residency, labour and border security laws were detected in the country. Gulf News reported the figures on Sunday (8 November).

Citing the Saudi interior ministry, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said 9,589 people were sent back to their countries for violating the law.

According to SPA, of those sent back, 6,043 were accused of violating residency laws, 3,191 of breaching border security laws and 2,353 of violating labour laws.

Border authorities arrested 1,678 people while they were trying to enter Saudi Arabia illegally. A further 18 people were arrested while trying to leave the country illegally.

In addition, 29 people were arrested on charges of transporting, sheltering or employing law violators.

At present, a total of 41,106 expatriates, including 38,813 men and 2,293 women, are in legal proceedings in Saudi Arabia.

Of those detained, 23,193 have been instructed to contact their respective embassies or consulates to collect the travel documents they need.

A further 9,139 people have been advised to leave the country quickly. Meanwhile, 9,589 people have already been sent back to their home countries.

The Saudi interior ministry has warned that anyone who helps a person enter Saudi Arabia illegally, transports law violators inside the country, or gives them shelter, assistance or other services could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to one million Saudi riyals.

The Saudi authorities also said that vehicles used to transport law violators and properties used to shelter them could be confiscated.