Melbourne soccer player Hakeem Al-Araibi faces risk of torture if he’s deported back to Bahrain

Former Socceroo Craig Foster is among the supporters calling for government intervention as Melbourne soccer player Hakeem Al-Araibi faces the “real risk” of torture if he is extradited to his native Bahrain.

Hakeem al-Araibi could ”be detained indefinitely, face sham trials or face torture.” Pic: AP

Torture and indefinite detention are imminent and “real risks” for Melbourne soccer player Hakeem Al-Araibi if he is extradited to his native Bahrain.

Former Socceroo Craig Foster and former Melbourne Victory defender and ex-state league teammate Rodrigo Vargas are among supporters calling for the local and international soccer authorities to take a stand, with Al-Araibi in indefinite detention in Bangkok awaiting a Thai court decision on extradition.

Lawyer for Amnesty International Diana Sayed warned that Christmas was a danger period for such cases, calling for Australia’s foreign minister Marise Payne to visit Thailand and advocate for Al-Araibi’s rights.

The Melbourne-based refugee said in 2016 that he feared he would be killed if he was forced to return to Bahrain. Al-Araibi was jailed and tortured before fleeing to Australia after he was sentenced to 10 years’ prison for his alleged role in Bahrain’s 2011 uprising.

Thai prison guards lead Bahraini footballer Hakeem al-Araibi from court in Bangkok earlier this month. Pic: AP

“There is a very real risk that he’s extradited back to Bahrain and detained upon arrival. He could be detained indefinitely, face sham trials or face torture,’’ Ms Sayed said.

“Bahrain has a human rights record of torturing people in detention. They’ve completely cracked down on civil society, it’s basically a surveillance state with zero human rights and zero tolerance for any criticism of their regime.

“It’s pertinent that the international community isn’t distracted by the festive season. Countries like Bahrain use these moments to quietly send vulnerable people like Hakeem home.”

Al-Araibi later spoke out against Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman, when he was running for FIFA presidency. Salman was Bahrain soccer federation president when Al-Araibi was tortured.

Former Socceroo Craig Foster, centre, is among those demanding intervention from the global football community and Australian Government to ensure the safe return to Australia of footballer Hakeem Al-Araibi. Pic: AAP

The former Bahrain international, who now plays for Pascoe Vale, player was detained by authorities last month the moment he set foot in Thailand on his honeymoon.

Foster called on the AFC, FIFA and FFA to push for Al-Araibi’s release.

“His life is at stake. I’m extremely concerned because he’s been embroiled in a political web,’’ Mr Foster said.

“Australia’s footballers implore FIFA and the AFC to comply with their own rules of governance to demand the return of Hakeem to Australia.”