Interior Ministry penalizes 7 persons for transporting 13 pilgrims to Makkah illegally

RIYADH — The Ministry of Interior has penalized four expatriates and three Saudi citizens for violating Hajj regulations by transporting 13 pilgrims to Makkah without Hajj permits. The ministry announced that Hajj security forces apprehended them at the entrances to Makkah. The ministry issued administrative decisions regarding penalties through its seasonal administrative committees. The penalties included fines of up to SR100,000 against the transporters and anyone involved in the violation, in addition to imprisonment, and publicizing names of the violators in the local media at their own expense.The decisions also included fines of up to SR20,000 against those provided with transportation in their failed attempt to perform Hajj without a permit, deportation of expatriates, and a 10-year ban on re-entering the Kingdom after serving their sentences.In addition, judicial requests were submitted for the confiscation of vehicles used to transport the violators. The ministry called on all citizens and residents to adhere to the Hajj regulations and instructions.