19 Indonesian People Arrested in Saudi, Some Allegedly Selling Dam to Record Women Without Permission

JAKARTA - A total of 19 Indonesian citizens were secured by Saudi security forces during the 2026 hajj season. They were investigated for alleged violations of the law, ranging from the promotion of illegal hajj services, the sale of dams not in accordance with regulations, to filming local women without permission.

The Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah, Yusron B. Ambary, said the Indonesian Consulate General had visited the police station to ensure assistance for the Indonesian citizens.

"The KJRI through the Protection Team for the Community has visited the police station. Currently, 15 people are being investigated in the Khororoh area and another 4 are in Al-Mansyur," said Yusron when reviewing the readiness of Hajj services in Arafah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

Of the 19 Indonesian citizens, two have been conditionally released. Both are stuck in different cases. One person is suspected of filming a Saudi woman at the Prophet's Mosque, while the other is related to dam sales.

Yusron said that Indonesian citizens who were suspected of taking videos without permission were still allowed to continue the series of haj rituals while waiting for the legal process.

"For now, he is still free and can continue to perform the haj. The Indonesian Consulate will continue to monitor whether there will be special rights claims from the women whose video was taken," said Yusron.

According to Yusron, the continuation of the case depends on whether there is a demand from the victim. In the Saudi Arabian legal system, there is a difference between general and special criminal law.

"If there is no special demand, the person concerned can return to the country when the return schedule is. However, if there is a demand from the victim, the legal process continues," he said.

For the dam sale case, one of four people who were examined was conditionally released because the evidence collected by local authorities was not enough. Yusron asked all parties to respect the legal process in Saudi Arabia. He emphasized, the 19 Indonesian citizens are still in the status of defendants, not suspects.

"The security forces have five days to collect evidence. If it is not complete, the detention period can be extended to 20 days. The Indonesian Consulate has spoken directly to the accused to ensure that they have their rights," said Yusron.