Saudi authorities arrest 21 Hajj permit violators

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have arrested 21 violators of Hajj regulations at the entrances to Makkah after they tried to enter without a valid Hajj permit, the state news agency SPA reported on Saturday.

The Ministry of the Interior announced that the Hajj Security Forces arrested eight residents and 13 citizens on Friday.

The seasonal administrative committees of the General Directorate of Passports issued 21 administrative decisions against them, which included: a prison sentence for a period of 15 days for each violator, and a fine of SR10,000 ($2,666).

The expatriate violators will then be deported and prevented from entering the Kingdom according to the legally specified periods after the execution of the sentence, while three vehicles used in their transportation have also been confiscated.

The Ministry of Interior called on all citizens and expatriates to abide by Hajj regulations and instructions so that pilgirms may enjoy safety, security, comfort and reassurance in performing their rituals.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Mohammad bin Abdullah Al-Bassami, the director of Public Security and chairman of the Hajj Security Committee, stressed the security of the country, pilgrims, and the holy sites was “a red line.”

He said that safeguarding the pilgrims while they perform their Hajj rituals until they return to their home countries is a top priority for the Hajj security forces and that “preventing violators of Hajj regulations and those who have not obtained Hajj permits is central to this endeavor.”

He was speaking during a press conference held by the interior ministry for the commanders of the Hajj security forces in Makkah to brief on the ministry’s security, traffic, and organizational plans for this year’s Hajj season.

Al-Bassami said that the Public Security “has seized 140 fake Hajj campaigns and 64 carriers violating Hajj regulations, in addition to returning 97,664 violating vehicles and 171,587 non-residents of Makkah,” the SPA reported.

Authorities also apprehended 4,032 violators who did not have a valid Hajj permit and 6,105 violators of residency, work, and border security regulations, while those turned away in recent days from the holy city include 153,998 foreigners who held tourist visas rather than the required Hajj visas.