Regarding Illegal Hajj, Seven Indonesians Arrested in Saudi Arabia

The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Jeddah has commented on the involvement of Indonesian citizens (WNI) in a case of promoting illegal Hajj, which was addressed by Saudi Arabian security forces. Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah, Yusron Ambari, stated that a total of seven WNI have been arrested so far. The KJRI, he said, has already met with these WNI to ensure their condition and the legal process they are undergoing. “This morning, the KJRI Protection Team met with them. The three newly arrested individuals include those with initials YJJ, JAR, and AG,” Yusron said in Makkah on Thursday (30/4/2026). He explained that the KJRI Jeddah pilgrim protection team has also met with four other WNI arrested on similar charges. From the hands of the suspected perpetrators, the authorities seized several pieces of evidence, including fake Nusuk cards, fake Hajj bracelets, and cash amounting to 100,000 riyals or approximately Rp 460 million. Yusron emphasised that the KJRI is once again reminding all WNI in Saudi Arabia not to get involved in the practice of selling or promoting illegal Hajj packages. “Do not try to offer or promote illegal Hajj packages. All communication activities, including on social media, are continuously monitored by Saudi Arabian security forces,” he stated. Yusron advised Indonesians intending to perform Hajj in a non-procedural manner to abandon such intentions. This is because the sanctions imposed are quite severe, ranging from fines of tens of thousands of riyals, imprisonment, to deportation and a ban on re-entering Saudi Arabia for 10 years. According to Yusron, the firm steps taken by the Saudi Arabian government aim to maintain order and the quality of services for official Hajj pilgrims. “The presence of illegal Hajj pilgrims has the potential to disrupt services for pilgrims who have followed official procedures,” he said. Currently, the legal process against these WNI is still ongoing. The case has been handed over from the police to the prosecution, but additional evidence is still requested, so the suspects remain detained at the local police station. “The KJRI will continue to monitor and accompany the legal process,” Yusron said. Previously, the KJRI Jeddah also confirmed the arrest of three WNI on Tuesday (28/4/2026). However, their case files were temporarily returned by the prosecution (Niyabah Amah) to the police to complete the investigation evidence. As conveyed by Yusron, Saudi Arabian police arrested four other WNI who were detained earlier. Three of them, with initials S, AS, and AB, are suspected of possessing money with an unexplained source. From them, the authorities seized cash amounting to 100,000 riyals, 10 Hajj bracelets, and 30 suspected fake Nusuk cards. Meanwhile, another WNI, with initials ZZS, was secured for allegedly offering fictitious Hajj facilitation.