A citizen in Jazan was arrested for violating border security regulations; he faces severe penalties
As part of the ongoing security efforts undertaken by the Saudi Ministry of Interior and its various sectors to enhance security and apprehend violators of regulations, the patrols of the General Directorate of Mujahideen in the Jazan region were able to arrest a Saudi citizen, after he was involved in transporting a violator of the border security system of Yemeni nationality inside a vehicle he was driving.
The citizen and the violator were detained and initial legal procedures were taken against them. The violator was referred to the competent authority to complete the procedures related to his violation of the residency and border regulations, while the citizen who transported the person was referred to the Public Prosecution, considering that the act he committed constitutes a crime that is severely punished by Saudi law.
Deterrent penalties and crimes warranting arrest
In this context, the official spokesperson for the General Directorate of Mujahideen reiterated his strong warnings, emphasizing that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's regulations do not tolerate anyone who facilitates the entry of border security violators into the Kingdom, transports them within its borders, provides them with shelter, or offers them any assistance or service whatsoever. He clarified that such actions subject the perpetrator to severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to 15 years, a fine of up to one million riyals, confiscation of the vehicle and accommodation used for sheltering the offender, and public shaming to serve as a deterrent to others.
The spokesperson also stressed that this crime is considered one of the “major crimes” that warrant arrest, and that violates honor and integrity, which reflects the state’s seriousness in dealing with the issue of border security and protecting society from the negative consequences of these violations.
Security context and intensive efforts to protect the borders
This qualitative operation in the Jazan region comes as part of a comprehensive security strategy implemented by the Kingdom to secure its southern borders, given the geographical nature and rugged terrain that require high vigilance from security personnel, specifically the General Directorate of Mujahideen, which plays a pivotal role in supporting the Border Guard and Public Security in the mountainous and border regions.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia attaches paramount importance to border security, not only from a purely security perspective, but also due to its economic and social dimensions. Combating infiltration and smuggling directly contributes to protecting the national economy, preventing the entry of prohibited materials, and ensuring the stability of the labor market by addressing illegal workers who do not comply with applicable regulations and laws.
Corporate social responsibility and reporting mechanism
In closing, the security authorities urged all citizens and residents to cooperate with law enforcement, emphasizing that security is everyone's responsibility. They called for the immediate reporting of any suspected violations of residency, labor, and border security regulations via the official numbers designated for this purpose: 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, Eastern Province, and Madinah regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. The authorities affirmed that all reports are treated with complete confidentiality and without any legal liability for the reporter, encouraging active community participation in maintaining security.
