Saudi Arabia penalizes 20 for transporting unauthorized pilgrims to Hajj, warning of fines and deportation.

The Ministry of Interior of Saudi Arabia has announced disciplinary actions against 20 individuals, including 15 Saudis and five expatriates, for breaching Hajj regulations. These individuals were apprehended by the Hajj Security Forces at Makkah’s entry points, having transported 94 persons without the requisite Hajj permits.

The ministry has outlined a series of administrative sanctions targeting all parties involved, including the transporters, their collaborators, and the unauthorized pilgrims themselves. Penalties include imprisonment, fines reaching SR100,000, and public shaming for those transporting the illegal pilgrims. In addition, expatriate offenders will face deportation alongside a 10-year prohibition on reentering Saudi Arabia post-servitude of their sentences. The transport vehicles involved in these violations are also subject to confiscation.

The ministry warns that attempting to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage without an official permit can result in fines up to SR20,000. It is urging everyone, both citizens and residents, to comply strictly with Hajj protocols and directives, emphasizing the importance of these measures in maintaining the safety and security of all pilgrims during the sacred rituals.