• Saudi Arabia has detained over 17,000 people for attempting to make the Hajj pilgrimage without a permit.
• All individuals are under investigation by the Public Prosecution.
• 128,999 vehicles not authorized to enter Makkah and the holy sites were sent back.

The Saudi Press Agency said on Saturday that up until Friday, security forces in Saudi Arabia had detained more than 17,000 people for attempting to make the yearly Hajj pilgrimage without a permit.

Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, the Director of Public Security and Head of the Hajj Security Committee, reported that a total of 17,615 people had been detained, including 9,509 people who had violated immigration, work, and border security laws as well as those who had planned 105 fictitious Hajj campaigns throughout the Kingdom. They are all now under investigation by the Public Prosecution.

He stated that 128,999 vehicles that are not authorised to enter Makkah and the holy sites were also sent back, along with 202,695 people who did not have a Hajj permit.

Al-Bassami claimed that 33 individuals were detained and reported to the temporary administrative committees under the General Directorate of Passports at the entrances of Makkah in order to enforce the laws against them for transporting pilgrims without valid Hajj permits.

He added that the security and organisational preparations were carried out with excellent efficiency and professionalism by the Hajj security personnel.