‘Free Hakeem al-Araibi,’ say Australian divers who helped rescue Thai cave boys

Araibi was arrested at a Bangkok airport in November when he arrived from Australia with his wife

He says he faces torture in Bahrain and wants to return to Australia, where he has lived since 2014

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Dr Richard Harris (left) and Craig Challen with Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Photo: AP

Published: 5:16pm, 9 Feb 2019Updated: 10:13pm, 9 Feb 2019

Two Australian divers who helped save 12 Thai boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave have written to the Thai prime minister to ask for the release of a Bahraini footballer with refugee status in Australia, media reported on Saturday.

The case of Hakeem al-Araibi, 25, has drawn international criticism as a Thai court considers an extradition request from Bahrain for him to serve a 10-year sentence related to the Arab spring uprising of 2011. He denies the charges.

He was arrested at a Bangkok airport in November when he arrived from Australia with his wife for their honeymoon. He says he faces torture in Bahrain and wants to return to Australia, where he has lived since 2014 and plays for a Melbourne football club.

Bahraini Hakeem al-Araibi in Bangkok. Photo: AP

Divers Richard Harris and Craig Challen were honoured as Australians of the Year in January for their help to rescue a junior football team and its assistant coach trapped in Thailand’s Tham Luang cave in July.

They have now joined a growing campaign to press for the release of Araibi, writing a letter to Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, ABC News reported.

Challen confirmed a letter had been sent but declined to give more information when contacted on Saturday.