Fears for Bahraini soccer player Hakeem Alaraibi after Thailand arrest

A Melbourne-based professional soccer player granted refugee status last year has been detained in Thailand, with fears the man will be sent back to his home country, Bahrain, where he could face imprisonment and torture.

A professional soccer player from Bahrain who was granted refugee status in Australia last year has been detained in Thailand.

Hakeem Alaraibi is facing deportation to Bahrain by Thai authorities after travelling from Melbourne to Bangkok on Tuesday, before being detained under an Interpol “Red Notice”.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Thursday it was looking into the case.

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Mr Alaraibi, who lives in Bundoora and plays for Pascoe Vale, was arrested by Bahraini authorities in 2012 due to the alleged political activities of his brother.

The 23-year-old has previously conducted interviews with international media outlets and discussed details of alleged torture he suffered while in the custody of Bahraini law enforcement.

Bahraini soccer player Hakeem Alaraibi has been detained in Thailand. Picture: Ian Currie

Lawyers acting on his behalf say if he is deported to Bahrain he faces a real risk of imprisonment and torture.

A DFAT spokesman said: “Australian Embassy officials in Bangkok are in direct contact with Thai authorities regarding this issue. Owing to our privacy obligations we will not provide further comment.”

In January 2014, Bahraini authorities sentenced Mr Alaraibi to 10 years’ imprisonment in absentia on the charge of vandalising a police station.

But during the time of the alleged crime he was representing the Bahrain national football team in a match in Qatar.

He fled to Australia in May 2015 and was granted refugee status in November 2017.

Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, director of the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, said: “Hakeem made brave interventions to expose the role of powerful members of the Bahraini royal family in sporting scandals.

“Interpol has violated its obligations, as Hakeem holds refugee status and returning him to Bahrain puts him at significant risk of torture and imprisonment.

“His deportation would undoubtedly damage the reputation of Interpol’s newly elected president early into his tenure.”

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