Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — The Ministry of Interior has penalized 12 Saudi citizens and eight expatriates for violation of the Hajj rules and regulations. The ministry announced that the Hajj Security Forces arrested them at the entry points to Makkah for transporting a total of 75 individuals without permits to perform Hajj.

The ministry, represented by the seasonal administrative committees, issued administrative decisions against the transporters, accomplices, and those who were provided with transportation. According to the decisions, penalties include imprisonment, fines of up to SR100000, publishing the names of violators in the local media at their own expense, deportation of residents and a 10-year ban for them from re-entering Saudi Arabia after serving their sentence.

The ministry called for the judicial confiscation of vehicles used in the unauthorized transport of pilgrims and the imposition of a fine of up to SR20000 on those who attempted to perform Hajj without a permit.

The ministry urged all citizens and residents to comply with Hajj regulations and instructions to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims as they perform their rituals.

In a related incident, the Hajj Security Forces arrested a citizen for transporting 9 visa holders in violation of Hajj regulations and instructions, attempting to bring them into Makkah to perform Hajj rituals. All individuals involved have been referred to the relevant authorities to implement the prescribed penalties against them.