Saudi authorities arrested 14,434 people in one week over alleged violations of residency, labor and border-security laws, the Interior Ministry said. The total included 6,976 people accused of residency-law violations, 4,110 accused of attempting to cross the border illegally, and 3,348 accused of labor-law violations.

Among those detained while attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally were 1,450 people. Ethiopians accounted for 58 percent of that group, Yemenis for 41 percent, and nationals of other countries for the remaining 1 percent. Authorities also arrested 44 people while they allegedly tried to enter neighboring countries illegally from Saudi Arabia.

A further 27 people were arrested on accusations of transporting or sheltering violators. The ministry warned that facilitating illegal entry, transport or shelter could bring up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to 1 million Saudi riyals, and confiscation of vehicles and property used. Reports can be made through 911 in Mecca and Riyadh, or 999 and 996 elsewhere.