MINA — The Ministry of Interior has penalized nine Saudi citizens and three expatriates for violating Hajj regulations by transporting 43 unauthorized pilgrims to Makkah. Hajj security forces apprehended them at the entrances to Makkah.
The ministry issued administrative decisions with regard to their penalties through its seasonal administrative committees. The penalties included fines of up to SR100,000 against transporters and anyone involved in the violations, in addition to imprisonment, publicizing names of the violators in the local media at their expense, and fines up to SR20,000 against individuals who were provided with transportation for attempting to perform Hajj without a permit.
The penalties also include deportation of expatriates and banning them from entering the Kingdom for 10 years after serving their sentences, in addition to seeking judicial confiscation of vehicles used to transport the violators.
The ministry urged citizens and expatriates to adhere to Hajj
regulations and instructions.
Source: Saudi Gazette