A citizen in Asir was arrested for transporting 16 border security violators

As part of the ongoing security efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to combat violators of residency, labor and border security regulations, the patrols of the General Directorate of Mujahideen in the Asir region were able to thwart an operation to transport a group of violators, and arrest the person responsible for it.

Details of the security operation in Asir

Field teams from the General Directorate of Mujahideen in the Asir region successfully apprehended a Saudi citizen after observing him transporting 16 Ethiopian nationals who had violated border security regulations in his vehicle. Security forces acted decisively, immediately detaining the citizen and the violators and initiating preliminary legal procedures against them. The violators were referred to the relevant authorities to complete the procedures related to their deportation and the application of the law, while the citizen was referred to the Public Prosecution for investigation and the application of deterrent penalties.

Strict penalties to deter smugglers and transporters

This operation underscores the Saudi authorities' seriousness in enforcing severe penalties against anyone found to be facilitating the entry or movement of border security violators. According to the official spokesperson for the General Directorate of Mujahideen, the Kingdom's regulations stipulate harsh penalties for anyone who facilitates the entry of violators, transports them, provides them with shelter, or offers them any form of assistance.

These penalties include imprisonment for up to 15 years, a fine of up to one million Saudi riyals, and confiscation of the vehicle used in the crime and the residence used to house the offenders. Those who commit these crimes are also publicly shamed as a deterrent to others, as these acts are classified as major crimes warranting arrest, and are considered to be breaches of honor and integrity.

Security and social dimensions of combating border security violations

The importance of these seizures extends beyond the legal aspect, encompassing crucial security, economic, and social dimensions. The Kingdom prioritizes border security to maintain societal stability and protect it from threats posed by infiltrators and violators of regulations, whether these threats are direct security risks or negative impacts on the labor market and the national economy.

The Ministry of Interior and all security sectors, including the General Directorate of Mujahideen, are working according to a comprehensive strategy aimed at strengthening national security through intensive field campaigns in all regions, especially border regions such as the Asir region, to ensure that the Kingdom is free of violators and to enforce the rule of law.

Call for cooperation and reporting

Security authorities have renewed their call to all citizens and residents to cooperate in protecting national security by immediately reporting any suspicious activity related to violations of residency, labor, and border security regulations. They clarified that reports can be made by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. They emphasized that all reports are treated with complete confidentiality and that the reporter bears no legal responsibility.