In a security campaign against illegal expats, more than 300 people¬ from different nationalities were arrested from three districts of Riyadh last Sunday evening.
Among those arrested there were three wanted men of Yemeni nationality and 13 Ethiopian women. The operation, conducted on a special directive by the Riyadh Governor Prince
Faisal bin Bandar, targeted illegal expats in Batha, Manfouha and Shumaisi districts.
The arrested women include hawkers and maids working in private households. They are mostly from the Shumaisi area, home to a large number of Africans and Pakistanis.
According to the police, most of these expatriates were working as truck drivers, construction workers, taxi drivers and vendors, while the rest have been working as free
lancers for various jobs.
Most of the pavement hawkers in these districts were illegal workers and also engaged in hiring domestic helps for various households. Many of the suspects are either
runaway workers or those whose resident permits (Iqama) have expired, police said.
The police had cordoned off the areas in the three districts to prevent the suspects from fleeing. The security authorities conduct regular inspections to apprehend illegal
workers to curb crimes such as thefts, sorcery and brewing liquor.
