385 arrested across country for violating UAE residency law

ABU DHABI // A total of 385 people were arrested last week for violating the UAE's residency law after the amnesty period ended, the Ministry of Interior said on Sunday.

Inspection campaigns led to the arrest of 125 violators in Abu Dhabi, 100 in Al Ain, 81 in Sharjah and 79 in Fujairah.

In Abu Dhabi, inspections were carried out in Mussafah and Tourist Club Area, among others, resulting in the arrest of 79 men and 46 women who had absconded from their sponsors.

Six inspections were carried out in Al Ain after a tip-off - in the industrial area, Al Souk area, Hili, Al Hayer, Al Wagan, Al Qou' and Al Jimi - which led to the arrest of 87 men and 13 women.

The inspection campaign in Sharjah resulted in 81 Asian violators being arrested while, in Fujairah, an inspection in the Al Qaria area saw the arrest of 79 violators of Asian descent who absconded from their sponsors.

Colonel Ali Ibrahim Al Tunaiji, head of the Residency Violators and Foreigners Follow-up department, said the campaigns were part of the department's efforts to minimise violation of residency laws, noting that the inspections are still under way across the UAE. He urged the public to inform authorities about illegals and warned of sheltering and hiring them as workers.

People can call the toll-free number 80080 to report violators.