BANGKOK, DEC 11 (TNA) – Hakeem Al-Araibi, a former member
of Bahrain’s national football team, is still held on remand after being
arrested in Thailand on an Interpol warrant issued at Bahrain’s request.
Al-Araibi who has been critical of the Bahraini government
fled to Australia in 2014 and was granted refugee status in November 2017.
The Australian Bahraini dissent was arrested at a Bangkok
airport on November 27 upon request by Bahraini authorities.
He told the reporters at Criminal Court on Tuesday that he
had done nothing wrong; he and his wife wished to return to Australia where he
had been granted refugee status.
The Court ruled to detain Al-Araibi for a maximum of 60 days
while waiting for formal extradition and additional evidence from Bahrain.
The Australian government has requested Thailand to release
and allow the Australian-based footballer to Australian as he is a permanent
resident
The member of Melbourne football club, Pascoe Vale FC, had
travelled to Thailand with his wife. (TNA)