Hakeem Alaraibi 02 HH 2500

FIFPRO support for detained Hakeem Al Araibi

Human Rights News
06 March 2020

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Hakeem Alaraibi 02 HH 2500
Hakeem al-Araibi was detained in Bangkok in November 2018 while awaiting the outcome of proceedings to have him extradited to Bahrain.

FIFPRO petitioned for his release as part of a concerted international effort and we are pleased to say that al-Araibi was allowed to return to his life and career in Australia.

Al-Araibi, a former Bahraini national team player, was living in Australia after fleeing torture and persecution in his home country in 2014.

However, while arriving for his honeymoon in Thailand, he was detained.

FIFPRO added its name to a petition, organized by Amnesty International, which gathered some 16,000 signatures in the first 24 hours.

FIFPRO member, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), was heavily involved with a campaign (#Save Hakeem) to get Al Araibi released from Thai prison. (See video below)

Hakeem Alaraibi 01 HH 1100
Hakeem Al-Araibi leaves Thailand's Criminal Court, in Bangkok, Thailand, on 4 February 2019

The international effort on his behalf was successful and his release came on 11 February 2019 after Thai prosecutors dropped the case. He returned to his life in Melbourne, Australia, the following day before being granted Australian citizenship a month later.

After his return al-Araibi played for Pasco Vale FC.

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