Over 17,000 arrested for attempting to perform Hajj without permit

Security authorities in Saudi Arabia arrested over 17,000 people up until Friday for attempting to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage without a permit, reports Arab News.

The Director of Public Security and Head of the Hajj Security Committee, Lt Gen Mohammed Al-Bassami, said a total of 17,615 people were arrested, including 9,509 violators of residency, work and border security regulations, and organisers of 105 fake Hajj campaigns in various regions of the Kingdom.

They were all referred to the Public Prosecution.

He also said 2,02,695 people who did not have a Hajj permit were sent back from the Makkah entry points. 1,28,999 vehicles that are not licensed to enter Makkah and the holy sites were also returned.

Al-Bassami said 33 people who transported pilgrims who did not hold Hajj permits were arrested and referred to the seasonal administrative committees under the General Directorate of Passports at the entrances to Makkah to implement the regulations against them.

/KN/