Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Interior has penalized 15 people for violating the Hajj rules and regulations. The ministry announced that the Hajj Security Forces arrested eight Saudi citizens and seven expatriates at the entry points to Makkah while transporting 61 individuals without Hajj permits.

Administrative decisions were issued by the seasonal administrative committees under the ministry against the transporters, their accomplices, and the unauthorized pilgrims. Penalties included imprisonment, fines of up to SR100,000, publishing names of the violators in the local media at their personal expense, deportation of resident offenders with a 10-year reentry ban after serving their sentences, and judicial petitions to confiscate the vehicles used in the offenses.

A fine of up to SR20,000 was imposed on individuals who attempted to perform Hajj without obtaining the required permit. The ministry called on all citizens and residents to comply with Hajj regulations and instructions to ensure that all pilgrims are able to perform their rituals in safety and security.