RIYADH-The Saudi Arabia security agencies who are specialized in public security have started arresting anyone who is practicing beggary in the Kingdom.
(File photo: Shutterstock).
The Public Security Spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sami Al-Shuwairekh said that, the security authorities have started to arrest everyone who practices beggary in accordance with the anti-begging law that prohibits begging in all its forms and manifestations in the Kingdom.
Gen. Al-Shuwairekh said that the arrest process is a prelude to referring the beggar to the competent authority to investigate him regarding the violations of the law, in addition to taking the necessary legal measures against him.
The penalties of imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or a fine of not more than SR100,000, or both, will be applied to anyone who is caught practicing beggary, or whoever incites, agrees with, assists or manages to beggary in all its forms, Gen. Al-Shuwairekh confirmed.
All non-Saudis who have been punished for practicing beggary will be deported from the Kingdom after the end of their punishment in accordance to the anti-begging law for non-Saudis, in addition to being prevented from re-entering Saudi Arabia.
Gen. Al-Shuwairekh asked all citizens and residents to give their charity and alms through the approved platforms which guarantee its reach to the needy people, calling people not to encourage the practice of beggary.
Gen. Al-Shuwairekh also called for reporting the beggars in the Makkah and Riyadh regions via the number (911) and (999) in all regions of the Kingdom.
What does the law say
According to the new Anti-Begging Law, approved by the Council of Ministers, a maximum jail term of one year and fine of SR100,000 will be awarded to those who practice beggary.
The fifth article of the law stipulates penalties for those who engage in begging. Those who involve in begging or manage beggars or involve in encouraging and helping an organized group of beggars will be sentenced to a maximum jail term of one year or maximum fine of SR100,000 or of both.
Those who involve in encouraging and helping anyone engaged in begging will be sentenced to a maximum jail term of six months or fine of not more than SR50,000 or of both.
There is a provision in the law to deport non-Saudi beggar after serving the jail term and payment of the fine and he will not be allowed to return to the Kingdom for work. There will be an exemption from deportation for non-Saudi beggars who are husbands or children of Saudi women.
According to the law, a beggar will be punished if he is arrested for engaging in beggary for the second or more time. The law stipulates that it is the Ministry of Interior, which is the designated authority to arrest beggars.
Article four of the law states that the Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the concerned agencies, shall carry out studies about the social, health, psychological and economic condition of the Saudi beggars and extend them support to address these issues after taking case by case, in addition to offering the necessary care and support for them.
It is noteworthy that a total of 2,710 Saudi beggars were arrested during the year 2018, according to a report published by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. Around 79 percent of these beggars, 2,140 in number, were women while men represented 21 percent with a total number of 570. (SG)