RIYADH — The Ministry of Interior announced that 12 people were penalized for transporting unauthorized pilgrims to Makkah. The Hajj Security Forces arrested seven Saudi citizens and five expatriates for violating Hajj regulations by transporting a total of 35 individuals without permits to perform Hajj. The ministry issued administrative decisions through the seasonal administrative committees against the transporters, accomplices, and those who were provided with transportation. According to the decisions, penalties included imprisonment, maximum fines of SR100,000, publishing names of violators in the local media at their personal expense, deportation of residents and a 10-year ban from re-entering Saudi Arabia after serving their sentence. The ministry called for the judicial confiscation of vehicles used in the unauthorized transport of pilgrims and the imposition of a fine of up to SR20,000 on those who attempted to perform Hajj without a permit. The ministry urged all citizens and residents to comply with Hajj regulations and instructions to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims so as to enable them to perform their rituals in ease and comfort.
