RIYADH: More than 200 illegal Bangladeshi workers were held in a series of raids across Saudi Arabia following the ongoing drives against illegal immigrants recently.

The drives were held by the law enforcers of the country in several places of Riyadh and its outskirts industrial areas.

A Bangladesh High Commission official in Riyadh on condition of anonymity confirmed the matter to banglanews.

The official said that the sponsors of the arrestees can appeal for bails and bring them out from the jail.

Their visa can be extended and be legalized with work permits after giving a fine as penalty, he added.

He also said that some 120 Bangladeshi workers in Riyadh and others were held in different police stations of country for not having legal papers with them.

The drives were held under the supervision of the Governor of Riyadh Prince Turki Bin Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. The drives started on Thursday.

Moreover, many citizens from Africa, India, Pakistan, The Philippines and Sri Lanka were also detained in custody for the same reason.

Saudi Police sources said that the law enforcers are conducting the drives in several areas of the country to detect the illegal immigrants.

Earlier in November, the Prince of Saudi Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud offered a general amnesty to the immigrants.

However, many workers did not pay attention to the amnesty. For that reason, they are being now detected, sources added.

BDST: 2207 HRS, AUG 24, 2014