Saudi Government Arrests 9 People Transporting 111 Illegal Hajj Pilgrims

MAKKAH - Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry announced it had arrested nine people who violated the hajj rules by transporting 111 pilgrims who did not have a hajj permit.

The arrests of the four expatriates and five Saudi residents were carried out by security forces stationed at the entrance of Makkah.

The seasonal administrative committee immediately issued a decision for violators consisting of various sanctions including prison sentences, fines up to SAR100,000 (around Rp433 million), identity disclosure to the public and deportation for expatriates accompanied by a ban on entering Saudi Arabia for 10 years.

The ministry also warns that anyone who tries to perform Hajj without permission will be fined up to SAR20,000 (around Rp. 86.6 million).

In his statement, the Ministry encourages residents and residents to comply with the hajj rules to ensure that the implementation of worship is organized, safe and guaranteed so that the pilgrims can fulfill their obligations to worship easily and calmly.