Updated
Hakeem al-Araibi could remain in jail in Thailand until August while a court decides on an extradition request from Bahrain, according to a spokesman for the Thai Attorney-General’s office.
Key points:
- Mr al-Araibi was arrested at Bangkok’s international airport in November when he flew from Australia to Thailand
- Bahrain has accused him of vandalising a police station during 2011 anti-government protests
- He denies the charges, saying he was playing in a televised soccer match at the time of the incident
The 25-year-old Melbourne refugee, who fled criminal charges related to the 2011 Arab Spring protests against Bahrain’s Government, is fighting the extradition, saying he faces torture if returned.
The Thai court hearing the case will need two to three months to give its ruling after the next hearing in late April, the spokesman said.
“So between now and then, Hakeem will have to be in custody for at least until August,” Trumph Jalichandra said.
Australia has appealed to Thailand to release Mr al-Araibi immediately.
The footballer was arrested at Bangkok’s international airport in November when he flew from Australia to Thailand with his wife for a honeymoon.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday again called for Mr al-Araibi to be released and sent back to Australia, saying he was “disturbed” to see photos of the 25-year-old in shackles as he arrived for a court hearing earlier this week.
The Thai Foreign Ministry has updated a statement on the case, which it described as “involving two countries competing for Mr Hakeem’s custody”.
It said Thailand only became involved “by chance” after a police bureau that handles Interpol matters in Australia notified Thai authorities Mr al-Araibi had boarded a flight to Bangkok and was the subject of a “red notice” initiated by Bahrain.
“It took several days after the arrival of Mr Hakeem before the Australian authorities informed us that the red notice had been cancelled,” the statement said.
“By that time, legal proceedings in Thailand regarding Mr Hakeem had already started and could not be reversed.”
Payne calls for Thai Government to use ‘discretion’
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said she had visited Bangkok personally to call on Thai authorities to use their discretion in Mr al-Araibi’s case.
In response to the news Mr al-Araibi may be held until August, Ms Payne said Australia the government is trying to resolve the issue.
“Australia recognises the importance of working cooperatively with Thailand and Bahrain to try to resolve this issue,” she said.
“To this end Australia has already made multiple representations to Bahrain, including at ministerial level. Bahrain has not, to date, changed its position.
“Australia therefore continues to respectfully call on the Thai Government to exercise its discretion, in accordance with Thai law, to intervene in this case and return Mr Alaraibi to Australia as soon as possible, consistent with international human rights laws and norms.
“Given Mr al-Araibi’s status as a refugee, given his protection visa position in Australia, given he’s a permanent resident of our country on the path to citizenship, we have encouraged the Bahraini Government not to proceed with the extradition application, and I certainly encourage the Thai Government to exercise the discretion it has available to it under its extradition act.”
Thailand’s Attorney-General is expected to hold a news briefing on the case.
Football commentator and former Socceroo Craig Foster is spearheading the #SaveHakeem movement, advocating for his release.
He said the footballer was still training in prison, preparing for a time when he could hopefully play again for his Melbourne club.
Mr al-Araibi was convicted of vandalising a police station during 2011 anti-government protests in Bahrain and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in absentia after he fled.
He denies the charges, saying he was playing in a televised soccer match at the time of the police station attack.
New York-based Human Rights Watch said Mr al-Araibi was tortured by Bahraini authorities because of his brother’s political activities during the Arab Spring uprising in 2011.
Bahraini authorities deny allegations of torture.
ABC/Reuters
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