19 Indonesian Nationals Detained in Saudi Arabia for Violating Hajj Laws
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - A total of 19 Indonesian citizens (WNI) have reportedly been detained by Saudi Arabian security forces. They are said to have violated laws during the 2026 Hajj season.
The Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Jeddah, Yusron B. Ambary, confirmed this. He detailed that the violations include promoting illegal Hajj services, practising the sale of dam (fines) in non-compliant ways, and documenting or photographing local Saudi women without permission.
“The Indonesian Consulate General through the Hajj Pilgrim Protection Team has visited the police station. Currently, 15 people are being questioned in the Khororoh area and another 4 are in Al-Mansyur,” Yusron said while inspecting the readiness of Hajj pilgrim services in Arafah, Saudi Arabia, quoted on Friday (15/5/2026).
Of the total 19 Indonesians being examined, Yusron mentioned that two have received conditional releases. The two were involved in separate cases, namely suspicion of recording Saudi women in Masjid Nabawi and one other related to the sale of dam.
Specifically for pilgrims caught in unauthorised video cases, Yusron assured that the individual is still permitted to continue the Hajj worship sequence. Nevertheless, they must follow legal developments.
“For now, he has indeed been released and is allowed to continue performing his Hajj. The Consulate will continue to monitor whether there will be specific rights claims from the woman who was filmed,” said Yusron.
Yusron explained that the fate of the Indonesian in question heavily depends on whether there is a complaint from the victim. In the Saudi legal system, there is a distinction between general criminal and special criminal cases.
“If there is no specific complaint, the individual can return to the homeland on the scheduled departure. However, if there is a complaint from the victim, the legal process continues. This special criminal penalty very much depends on the victim’s side’s complaint,” he emphasised, also explaining that in four dam sale cases, one person has been conditionally released because the evidence collected by local authorities is not yet sufficient.
Yusron also urged all parties to respect the ongoing legal process. He emphasised that the status of the 19 Indonesians is currently as accused, not suspects.
“Security forces have five days to gather evidence. If not complete, the detention period can be extended up to 20 days. The Consulate has spoken directly with the accused to ensure they receive their rights,” he asserted.