Saudi Arabia cracks down on Hajj transport violations, imposes heavy penalties
Legal action taken against individuals violating Hajj transport rules, including fines and deportation orders.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior has announced legal action against 19 individuals — five expatriates and 14 citizens — caught transporting 29 unauthorized people into the holy sites.
The penalties for the 19 violators include fines of up to SR100,000 ($27,000), confiscation of vehicles, and public naming.For the 29 individuals attempting to perform Hajj without permits, the ministry imposed fines of up to SR20,000 each.
Expatriate violators face immediate deportation and a 10-year ban from entering the Kingdom.The arrests are part of a broader, month-long enforcement campaign that has seen various Saudi security branches dismantle smuggling and fraud rings since April.
Authorities have targeted those involved in forging Hajj wristbands, Nusuk cards, and residency permits, with arrests including individuals from Sudan, Egypt, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.Transport violations cited include using unpaved roads and valleys to smuggle individuals into Makkah without Hajj permits, as well as remaining in Makkah without permits.
Posting fake Hajj service advertisements on social media was also among the violations cited by authorities.The General Directorate of Public Security reiterated that these measures are essential to ensure the safety and security of legitimate pilgrims.
Authorities continue to urge the public to report any suspected violations via the unified emergency numbers 911 (Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions) or 999 for other parts of the Kingdom.
The penalties for the 19 violators include fines of up to SR100,000 ($27,000), confiscation of vehicles, and public naming.For the 29 individuals attempting to perform Hajj without permits, the ministry imposed fines of up to SR20,000 each.
Expatriate violators face immediate deportation and a 10-year ban from entering the Kingdom.The arrests are part of a broader, month-long enforcement campaign that has seen various Saudi security branches dismantle smuggling and fraud rings since April.
Authorities have targeted those involved in forging Hajj wristbands, Nusuk cards, and residency permits, with arrests including individuals from Sudan, Egypt, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.Transport violations cited include using unpaved roads and valleys to smuggle individuals into Makkah without Hajj permits, as well as remaining in Makkah without permits.
Posting fake Hajj service advertisements on social media was also among the violations cited by authorities.The General Directorate of Public Security reiterated that these measures are essential to ensure the safety and security of legitimate pilgrims.
Authorities continue to urge the public to report any suspected violations via the unified emergency numbers 911 (Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions) or 999 for other parts of the Kingdom.
