Australian refugee footballer faces deportation after Thailand arrest

NEWS: Bahraini refugee Hakeem Alaraibi who lives in Victoria may not be able to return to Australia.

A Bahraini refugee who has Australian permanent residency has been arrested in Thailand and now faces deportation back to the Gulf state.

Advocacy groups say that should Hakeem Alaraibi be forced to return to Bahrain, the 25-year-old will be at high risk of "imprisonment and torture" due to previously speaking out against authorities.

SBS News spoke to Mr Alaraibi in Bangkok on Thursday, where he was arrested after travelling from Melbourne.

You can read the full version of this story in English on SBS News here.


Share
1 min read

Published

Updated

By Nick Baker, Ben Terry
Presented by Tanu Attajarusit
Source: SBS News

Share this with family and friends


Follow SBS Thai

Download our apps
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Thai-speaking Australians.
Understand the quirky parts of Aussie life.
Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
Thai News

Thai News

Watch in onDemand