The number of those breaching iqama rules was 976 out of  1,221 people detained, according to Passport Department spokesman Maj. Sulaiman bin Muhammad Al-Khalil.

He added that 245 foreigners who had committed more serious labor law violations had been referred to the labor office in Hail province.

Al-Khalil said the arrested were of various Arab, Asian and African nationalities and they were caught during raids ordered by acting director of the Hail’s passport department Col. Awad ibn Abdullah Al-Qarni. Al-Qarni was reported to have praised the number of tip-offs about foreigners who had breached residence or visa regulations and had urged citizens to use the toll free number 992 to report any other violations.