Saudi security forces have arrested a Sudanese resident in the Jazan region after he was allegedly caught transporting six Ethiopian nationals accused of violating the kingdom’s border security regulations.
According to Saudi newspaper Okaz, citing the relevant authorities, patrols from the General Administration of Mujahideen detained the Sudanese man while he was transporting the six Ethiopians.
The Ethiopian nationals were referred to the appropriate authorities to complete legal procedures related to their immigration and border-status violations.
The Sudanese resident, meanwhile, was handed over to the Public Prosecution on suspicion of facilitating the transportation of people who had entered or remained in the country in violation of Saudi border security laws.
Saudi authorities said anyone found guilty of facilitating the entry, transport or sheltering of border violators can face severe penalties.
Under Saudi regulations, such offences may carry a prison sentence of up to 15 years and a fine of as much as 1 million Saudi riyals.
Authorities may also confiscate vehicles or other means of transport used in committing the offence.
The arrest comes as Saudi Arabia continues nationwide security campaigns targeting violations of residency, labour and border security regulations, as well as individuals accused of assisting undocumented migrants or facilitating their movement within the kingdom.
