'Don't send me back to Bahrain': Hakeem Al-Araibi plea as he appears in court

NEWS: Speaking outside a Bangkok court this morning, former Socceroo Craig Foster, who has visited Hakeem in prison there, accused Bahrain of "using" Thailand.

นายฮะคีม อัล-อะไรบี เดินทางไปขึ้นศาล ที่ศาลอาญา กรุงเทพมหานคร (AAP)

นายฮะคีม อัล-อะไรบี เดินทางไปขึ้นศาล ที่ศาลอาญา กรุงเทพมหานคร Source: AAP

Australian refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi has appeared in Bangkok Criminal Court to fight extradition to his native Bahrain.

"Don't send me back to Bahrain," al-Araibi pleaded with reporters and activists before entering a courtroom on Monday.

On arrival at court, Al-Araibi appeared amid a flurry of camera flashes, the last in a long stream of shackled, shuffling prisoners.

Former Socceroo Craig Foster, who has visited Al-Araibi in prison and has been a tireless campaigner for his release, shouted support as Al-Araibi walked by.

"Australia is with you, buddy," Mr Foster said. "Stay strong. All of Australia is with you. Football is with you."

Speaking outside a Bangkok court this morning, Mr Foster, who has visited Hakeem in prison there, accused Bahrain of "using" Thailand, given Hakeem had spent years in Australia without any troubles. 

You can read the full story in English here.


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By Matt Connellan
Presented by Parisuth Sodsai
Source: SBS News

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