Hollywood star Anthony LaPaglia asks Wolverine, Thor, Robin Hood and Harley Quinn to help free jailed footballer Hakeem
- Ex-Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has also joined campaign to have Hakeem released from Thai jail
- World Players Association asks players around the world to voice their support for Hakeem
Hollywood star Anthony LaPaglia and ex-Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler have joined the call to free a Bahraini refugee footballer languishing in a Thai jail with the #SaveHakeem campaign urging big-name players to speak up on his behalf.
LaPaglia, a Golden Globe winner for his role as FBI agent Jack Malone in Without A Trace and an ex-player with Adelaide City and West Adelaide, took to social media to demand the release of Hakeem al-Araibi – a former international who went to Bangkok on his honeymoon in early November but was arrested upon arrival on an erroneous red notice from Interpol seeking his extradition to Bahrain.
“All the support we can generate will help save this young man from the cold indifference of political expediency,” wrote the 59-year-old LaPaglia, who endorsed a tweet to fellow Australian Hollywood giants Hugh Jackman (Wolverine), Chris Hemsworth (Thor and Avengers), Russell Crowe (Gladiator, Robin Hood, A Beautiful Mind) and Margot Robbie (Suicide Squad) by FIFPro’s Andrew Orsatti.
LaPaglia, who was brilliant as Daphne’s layabout brother in episodes of hit US comedy Frasier, said he hoped the Australian government would throw its support behind Hakeem.
He tweeted: “Defining moment4 Aust Govt.R they going 2 side with Bahrain?AsTrump&Repub party did withSaudis after murdering Khashoggi,UScitizen,4 financial benefits?Austs long-standing trade deals w Bahrain clearly behind reluctance to step up&show we value justice&life over $$$.#SaveHakeem.”