7 hours agoThe refugee footballer being held in prison: Please help me!
Periskopi(7 years ago)
(7 years ago)Hakeem Al-Araibi, a professional footballer from Bahrain, is currently at the centre of a diplomatic debate involving three countries for a controversial extradition effort, adding Australia and Thailand. Officially known as the refugee from Australia, he has been a semi-professional player in the country for the past four years, but may be forced [...]
Officially known as the refugee from Australia, he has been a semi-professional player in the country for the past four years, but may be forced back to his native country to hold him, writes Periscope.
He has been confined to a prison in Thailand since November 2018, as claims dating back to the beginning of the decade continue to follow him.
In 2014, Al-Araib was sentenced by authorities in Bahrain to 10 years in prison because of the vandalism of a police station during the 2012 Arab Spring protests.
He then fled to Australia, where he was granted refugee status and permanent residence. He continued playing soccer in his new homeland, playing for Goulburn Valley Suns and, finally, Pascoe Vale.
I didn't do anything in Bahrain, I didn't do anything in Australia, I didn't do anything in Thailand”, Al-Araib said in an exclusive interview for Guardian.
How can they keep me locked up like this? Please help me, please. There are no human rights in Bahrain and there is no security at all”
Currently, he is in a prison in Thailand, and on February 8th, the documentation for extradition to the state of Bahrain is expected to be completed. /Periscopi
