Iraq's Foreign Ministry announced the release of 11 Iraqis imprisoned in Lebanon after they fell victim to tourism companies' fraud. The ministry stated that these citizens, including elderly men and women, were detained by Lebanese security authorities for traveling through Rafik Hariri Airport in Beirut to Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa not designated for pilgrimage.
The statement noted that the Iraqi Embassy in Lebanon coordinated with the relevant security and judicial authorities and successfully secured the release of all detainees. Additionally, the embassy communicated continually over the past two days with the families of the detained, visiting them regularly to assess their needs, and assisted in transporting the released individuals to a hotel while monitoring their well-being.
The statement emphasized that the Iraqi embassy in Saudi Arabia is following up on the completion of other procedures until the matter is fully resolved and the detainees are returned to Iraq. Earlier, Saudi authorities announced that the fine for those caught in Mecca and the holy sites during the Hajj season without prior permission would be 10,000 Riyals (approximately $2,660), and those residing illegally would be deported to their home countries and banned from entering the Kingdom for specified periods.
