LBCI

Freed Bahraini footballer lands in Australia

Breaking Headlines

12-02-2019 | 08:00

Share

Share

Freed Bahraini footballer lands in Australia

2^min

A refugee Bahraini footballer, who was held in a Thai prison for more than two months at the Gulf state's request, arrived in the Australian city of Melbourne from Bangkok on Tuesday.

Hakeem Al Araibi, 25, who fled Bahrain in 2014 and received refugee status in Australia, was released from prison on Monday.

He was arrested in Bangkok in November while on honeymoon following an Interpol notice issued at Bahrain's request.

The arrest drew widespread international condemnation and, under heavy diplomatic pressure, Bahrain agreed to drop its bid to have him extradited from Thailand.

A Thai Airways plane carrying Araibi arrived in Melbourne, Australia's second largest city, shortly before 0200 GMT, where scores of supporters had waited for several hours to greet him.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison twice wrote to his Thai counterpart to urge the release of Araibi, while Foreign Minister Marise Payne traveled to Bangkok to press for his release.

The intervention of several current and former football stars also fueled pressure on both Thailand and Bahrain to release Araibi.

REUTERS

Breaking Headlines

Bahrain

Australia

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Hezbollah condemns Israeli airstrikes on Syria

2025-05-03

Hezbollah condemns Israeli airstrikes on Syria

Lebanese Press Syndicate condemns violent assault on LBCI journalist Petra Abou Haidar

14:14

Lebanese Press Syndicate condemns violent assault on LBCI journalist Petra Abou Haidar

Trump spoke to sultan of Oman about Iran talks: White House

2025-04-15

Trump spoke to sultan of Oman about Iran talks: White House

A 'Druze crisis': Syria-Israel security deal in jeopardy amid Sweida clashes and Israeli strikes

News Bulletin Reports

13:10

A 'Druze crisis': Syria-Israel security deal in jeopardy amid Sweida clashes and Israeli strikes

Videos

Pregnant journalist Petra Abou Haidar attacked in road rage assault

08:59

Pregnant journalist Petra Abou Haidar attacked in road rage assault

Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district

2025-07-01

Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district

Clash between Lebanese Army and residents of Deir Qanoun Al Nahr results in injuries (Video)

2025-06-10

Clash between Lebanese Army and residents of Deir Qanoun Al Nahr results in injuries (Video)

Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties

2025-06-04

Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties

President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels

2025-05-19

President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels

LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future

2025-05-15

LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future

Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video

2025-05-11

Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video

Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers

2025-05-11

Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers

EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview

News Bulletin Reports

2025-05-09

EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Pregnant journalist Petra Abou Haidar attacked in road rage assault

1

Pregnant journalist Petra Abou Haidar attacked in road rage assault

Israeli airstrikes kill 12 in Lebanon's Bekaa, including Syrian refugees

2

Israeli airstrikes kill 12 in Lebanon's Bekaa, including Syrian refugees

Lebanon's central bank bans interactions with Hezbollah's Al-Qard Al-Hassan: Circular

3

Lebanon's central bank bans interactions with Hezbollah's Al-Qard Al-Hassan: Circular

Lebanon's Press Club condemns assault on journalist Petra Abou Haidar, calls for accountability

4

Lebanon's Press Club condemns assault on journalist Petra Abou Haidar, calls for accountability

Lebanese Army arrests 144 Syrians for illegal entry, detains multiple Lebanese suspects in raids

5

Lebanese Army arrests 144 Syrians for illegal entry, detains multiple Lebanese suspects in raids

Airstrikes hit Bodai as Israel targets alleged Hezbollah positions in Bekaa

6

Airstrikes hit Bodai as Israel targets alleged Hezbollah positions in Bekaa

Inside Lebanon's biggest drug lab: Lebanese Army tightens grip on Bekaa drug lords

7

Inside Lebanon's biggest drug lab: Lebanese Army tightens grip on Bekaa drug lords

Israeli defense minister says strikes under way in Lebanon are 'clear message' to Hezbollah

8

Israeli defense minister says strikes under way in Lebanon are 'clear message' to Hezbollah

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More