The Middle Eastern country of Saudi Arabia has arrested more than 14,000 expatriates in a week in a nationwide operation on charges of violating housing, labor and border security laws. During this period, Saudi authorities have deported 12,600 of the arrested expatriates to their home countries. This information was given in a statement by the country’s Ministry of Interior on Saturday.

It said that security forces conducted operations in different parts of the country from July 23 to July 29. 14,154 expatriates were arrested in this operation. Later, 12,613 of them were deported to their home countries.

The ministry said that among those arrested, 7,103 were for violating the housing law, 3,654 for violating the border security law, and 3,397 for violating the labor law.

In addition, the country’s law enforcement agencies arrested another 1,418 people while trying to enter Saudi Arabia illegally. 23 people were arrested while trying to leave the country illegally.

In addition, 17 people living in Saudi Arabia have been arrested for transporting and sheltering those who violate the residence and work regulations.

The country’s Interior Ministry said that 30,679 people are currently under legal proceedings. Of these, 17,903 have been sent to their respective diplomatic missions to collect the necessary travel documents. In addition, 5,424 have been instructed to complete final travel preparations before their departure.

Anyone who tries to help people enter the Middle Eastern country illegally can be sentenced to 15 years in prison and a fine of 1 million Saudi riyals. The Saudi Interior Ministry has repeatedly warned about this.