Thailand faces growing pressure to release Bahraini footballer Hakeem al-Araibi

Hakeem al-Araibi, who was granted refugee status in Australia, has languished in a Thai cell for two months as authorities weigh a request by Bahrain for his extradition on dubious vandalism charges.

Human rights activists say al-Araibi, who plays with a semi-professional football club in Melbourne, has been targeted for political reasons and is at risk of torture or death if returned to the Persian Gulf country. Al-Araibi has recounted being tortured by Bahraini authorities over his involvement in protests during the Arab Spring.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week confirmed he had written to his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-ocha urging for the release of the Melbourne resident. Al-Araibi’s wife has also written to the leaders of Canada and New Zealand pleading for their support to secure his freedom.

The Thai government, which has good relations with Bahrain, has so far resisted calls for his release, insisting the extradition process is a matter for the courts. Bahrain has rejected concerns about al-Araibi being subjected to torture and unjust imprisonment as baseless.