Third of beggars caught in Saudi are nationals

Saudi Arabia has seized more than 59,000 beggars this year and nearly 33 per cent of them are nationals, local newspapers reported on Friday.

The arrests were part of an ongoing crackdown by the world’s oil powerhouse against begging, which is banned in the country.

Around 33 per cent of the seized 59,500 beggars are Saudis while the rest are expatriates. The report showed nearly 59 per cent of them are men, 25 per cent are women and the rest are children.

Under Saudi laws, national beggars are referred to the social affairs ministry to study their cases while expatriates caught begging are deported.