‘I’m an Aussie now, I’m safe’ – ex-refugee Hakeem al-Araibi becomes an Australian citizen in Melbourne ceremony

Activist Craig Foster says Al-Araibi’s naturalisation is a triumph for those who helped fight for his freedom

The ceremony takes place one month after he was released from a Thai prison after an ordeal that nearly had him extradited to Bahrain

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Hakeem al-Araibi and Craig Foster show off his Australian citizenship certificate.

Published: 11:44am, 12 Mar 2019Updated: 6:27am, 13 Mar 2019

Hakeem al-Araibi is no longer a refugee, with the Bahrain-born footballer receiving his Australian citizenship on Tuesday in what was described as a victory for all the organisations and individuals who worked tirelessly for his release from a Thai prison.

The 26-year-old Al-Araibi joined 207 others in a ceremony in Melbourne’s Federation Square as Australia welcomed its newest citizens – one month after he was released by Thai authorities after spending more than 70 days in prison with the threat of extradition to Bahrain hanging over him.

“A pretty special moment,” tweeted former Socceroos captain Craig Foster, one of the key figures in the campaign to save Al-Araibi who posted a picture of the player signing #SaveHakeem shirts.

“[The shirts are for] refugee charities and those who worked so hard for his release.”

Al-Araibi fled Bahrain in 2014 after a government crackdown on athletes during the Arab spring.

He was granted asylum in Australia in 2017, but was arrested in Bangkok in November after travelling to the Thai capital for his honeymoon.

The Thais were acting on an extradition order from the Bahrain government, which was eventually dropped on February 11 after a global campaign pressing for his freedom. He feared detention and torture should he have been returned to Bahrain.