Saudi Gazette Report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Interior has penalized as many as 49 people for violation of Hajj rules and regulations.

The ministry said that the Hajj Security Forces have arrested 18 expatriates and 31 Saudi citizens at the entry points to Makkah while transporting 197 individuals who did not hold permits to perform Hajj.

The ministry issued administrative rulings through the seasonal administrative committees against the transporters, accomplices, and unauthorized pilgrims. Penalties include imprisonment, fines of up to SR100,000, publicizing names of the violators in the local media at their own expense, deportation of expatriates with a 10-year re-entry ban after serving of the sentence, and legal proceedings for the confiscation of vehicles used in the violations. Unauthorized pilgrims face fines of up to SR20,000.

In a related incident, Hajj Security Forces arrested 58 individuals for violating Hajj regulations by attempting to enter the city of Makkah without the required permits to perform the pilgrimage. They were referred to the competent authorities to slap the prescribed penalties.

The ministry urged all citizens and residents to strictly adhere to Hajj regulations in order to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims during the performance of their rituals.