Saudi Arabia: More than 205,000 People Removed from Mecca for Attempting Hajj Without a Permit
The Director of Public Security and Chairman of the Hajj Security Committee, Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Basami, revealed that public security teams removed over 205,000 individuals from Mecca for attempting to perform Hajj without the necessary permits. He announced the introduction of new regulations to deal with violators during the Hajj season.
Al-Basami explained that Saudi public security had intercepted more than 415 fake Hajj offices. At the same time, they sent back over 269,000 individuals who lacked Hajj permits, amid tightened security measures by Saudi authorities to prevent any violations.
Additionally, the Saudi public security director announced that penalties had been imposed on over 75,000 violators of Hajj regulations, emphasizing that officers would be vigilant against anyone breaking the rules during Hajj. Security teams apprehended 1,239 individuals attempting to transport unauthorized pilgrims.
Al-Basami added that public security had returned 110,000 vehicles from the entrances of Mecca for carrying unauthorized pilgrims, and over 5,000 violating vehicles were seized as they planned to transport pilgrims without permits. He noted that public security had activated fixed checkpoints at the entrances of Mecca to apprehend violators.
