Hakeem al-Araibi case to be decided in court not by government
Wednesday 6 February 2019 12:04, UK
The case of a refugee Bahraini footballer held in a Thai prison and fighting extradition to his home country, will be decided in the courts and not by the government, a spokesperson for the Thai Attorney-General has said.
The plight of Hakeem al-Araibi has caused a storm of protest, particularly in Australia, where he is a permanent resident and plays semi-professional football.
Australia's Foreign Minister called on the Thai government to free him and to allow him to travel back to Australia, but an official from the Attorney-General's Office said that wasn't possible.
Al-Araibi, 25, a former Bahraini national team player, has said he fled his home country due to political repression and fears he will face torture if sent back.
He was arrested in November after flying in from Australia for his honeymoon, triggered because of an Interpol Red Notice issued against him.
