Hakeem Al-Araibi, who is a Bahraini citizen, fled to Australia in 2014 and was granted political asylum. He was detained in Bangkok where he has spent more than 70 days since November on an Interpol notice requested by Bahrain. He had travelled to the Thai capital on honeymoon. Al-Araibi plays for Pascoe Vale FC in Melbourne. The case has also shone a spotlight on the governance and international power of world football organisations.
The football player and refugee’s detention in Thailand has sparked an outcry he will be freed after Bahrain withdrew its extradition request, officials say. Thailand’s Office of the Attorney General (OAG) asked the court to end proceedings against Al-Araibi because Bahrain had said it no longer wanted him, said the officials. “This morning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed us that Bahrain was no longer interested in this request,” OAG foreign office chief Chatchom Akapin said.
Al-Araibi, had been jailed and beaten in Bahrain during a crackdown on pro-democracy athletes. He denies the charges and human rights activists say he could face torture if sent back to Bahrain. He was sentenced in absentia to 10 years for vandalising a police station.
His case has been taken up by high-profile footballers, with stars including Didier Drogba and Jamie Vardy calling for his release. The Australian government, Fifa and other football bodies have supported his case.
OAG foreign office chief Chatchom Akapin said. “This morning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed us that Bahrain was no longer interested in this request,”