Thai Court Schedules Extradition Hearing for Bahraini Footballer in April, Reports Reuters

By Juarawee Kittisilpa and Panarat Thepgumpanat

BANGKOK – Hakeem Al Araibi, a Bahraini footballer currently imprisoned in Thailand, will remain in custody for at least two more months. A court has scheduled an extradition hearing for April. Al Araibi, who escaped political turmoil in Bahrain and has refugee status in Australia, was arrested in Thailand while on his honeymoon.

The international case has prompted appeals for his release from Australia’s prime minister and FIFA, soccer’s global governing body. They argue that Al Araibi could face persecution or torture if extradited to Bahrain, which is seeking his return.

On Monday, Australian ambassador Allan McKinnon and diplomats from over a dozen countries supported Al Araibi as he arrived at the courthouse, dressed in a beige prison uniform and wearing shackles. “Don’t send me to Bahrain,” he implored, expressing fears of persecution if returned to his home country.

The court has given Al Araibi’s defense team until April 5 to submit their opposition to the extradition request, with preliminary hearings set for April 22. Defense attorney Nadthasiri Bergman stated, “We are not worried about the law because we have evidence to show that he should not be sent to Bahrain.”

Last week, a Thai prosecutor presented the extradition request to the court, claiming that Al Araibi had engaged in criminal activity and deserves extradition. Supporters, however, argue that as a recognized refugee, Al Araibi should be allowed to return to Australia instead.

Craig Foster, a former Australian soccer captain who has been advocating for Al Araibi’s release, criticized Thailand for being used in the situation. He called on the Thai prime minister to recognize the politically motivated nature of the charges and to facilitate Al Araibi’s immediate release.

The Thai deputy foreign minister stated that the judiciary will make the final decision and emphasized that the government would not intervene since an official extradition request from Bahrain is on the table, despite Al Araibi’s refugee status.

High-profile figures, including Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, FIFA secretary-general Fatma Samoura, and AFC vice president Praful Patel, have voiced their concerns and called for Al Araibi’s release.

Al Araibi left Bahrain in 2014 and obtained permanent residency in Australia, where he played for a local soccer club. He was arrested in Thailand based on an Interpol notice issued at Bahrain’s request, which Interpol later canceled.

His past includes claims of torture by Bahraini authorities due to his brother’s political activities during the Arab Spring in 2011, allegations that the Bahraini government denies. Al Araibi was sentenced in absentia to ten years in prison for allegedly vandalizing a police station, which he disputes, asserting that he was participating in a football match at the time.