Khaberni - Saudi Arabia has announced a new package of sanctions that will be applied against those who violate the instructions that require obtaining a permit to perform Hajj, where the interior imposes a financial penalty of up to 20,000 Riyals for those caught performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit, and 100,000 Riyals for those who shelter irregular pilgrims or cover for them or assist them.
The same penalty applies to holders of all types of visit visas, or those attempting to enter or remain in the city of Mecca and the holy sites, starting today (the first) of the month of Dhu al-Qi'dah until the end of day (14) of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah.
In a related context, the Saudi Ministry of Interior punishes with a financial penalty of up to (100,000) Riyals anyone who submits an application for a visit visa of any type for a person who has performed or attempted performing Hajj without a permit, or entering or staying in the city of Mecca and the sacred monuments starting from today (the first) of the month of Dhu al-Qi'dah until the end of day (14) of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Fines vary with the number of people who have been issued visit visas of all types and have performed or attempted to perform Hajj without a permit, or enter or stay in the city of Mecca and the sacred sites.
Additionally, for those who transport or attempt to transport holders of visit visas with the intention of taking them to the city of Mecca and the sacred sites from the beginning of the day (the first) of the month of Dhu al-Qi'dah until the end of day (14) of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Alongside those who host or attempt to host holders of all types of visit visas in any designated accommodation (hotels, apartments, private residences, shelters, Hajj housing sites, etc.), or cover for them, or provide any assistance that leads to their stay in the city of Mecca and the sacred sites from the beginning of the day (the first) of the month of Dhu al-Qi'dah until the end of day (14) of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, and fines vary with the number of violators who are hosted, covered for, or assisted.
The Ministry also stressed the deportation of infiltrators performing Hajj from residents and overstayers back to their countries and barring them from entering the kingdom for (10) years. The Saudi Ministry of Interior also requests the competent court to rule on the confiscation of the land transport vehicle proven to be used in transporting holders of any type of visit visa to the city of Mecca and the sacred sites, from the beginning of the day (the first) of the month of Dhu al-Qi'dah until the end of day (14) of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, and it was owned by the transporter, contributor, or accomplice.
The ministry confirmed the right of those against whom a decision to impose sanctions is issued, to object within a period not exceeding (30) days from the date of being notified of the decision, in front of the competent committee, and to appeal the committee's decision before the administrative court within (60) days from the date of being notified of the committee’s decision, according to a statement from the Ministry of Interior.
The ministry urged citizens, residents, and holders of all types of visas to comply with the regulations governing Hajj performance, not to expose themselves to penalties, and to report violators by contacting number (911) in the Mecca region.
