LBCI

Freed Bahraini footballer lands in Australia

Breaking Headlines

12-02-2019 | 07:00

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

Speaker Berri: Recent attacks on Lebanon go beyond condemnation, unity and support for President Aoun are needed

2025-10-30

Speaker Berri: Recent attacks on Lebanon go beyond condemnation, unity and support for President Aoun are needed

President Aoun tells Security Council delegation Lebanon is committed to arms-control plan and open to post-UNIFIL options

2025-12-05

President Aoun tells Security Council delegation Lebanon is committed to arms-control plan and open to post-UNIFIL options

US envoy Ortagus welcomes expanded civilian role in ceasefire-monitoring mechanism meetings

2025-12-05

US envoy Ortagus welcomes expanded civilian role in ceasefire-monitoring mechanism meetings

Beirut Municipality treasurer arrested over $200,000 embezzlement, sources tell LBCI

2025-11-13

Beirut Municipality treasurer arrested over $200,000 embezzlement, sources tell LBCI

Videos

Pope Leo XIV urges leaders to hear their people’s cry for peace, singles out Lebanon (video)

2025-12-02

Pope Leo XIV urges leaders to hear their people’s cry for peace, singles out Lebanon (video)

At Beirut waterfront, Pope Leo XIV rides through cheering crowds (video)

2025-12-02

At Beirut waterfront, Pope Leo XIV rides through cheering crowds (video)

At Beirut Port, Pope Leo XIV offers silent prayer for blast victims (video)

2025-12-02

At Beirut Port, Pope Leo XIV offers silent prayer for blast victims (video)

Pope Leo XIV opens hospital visit with Arabic ’Sabah el-kheir’ — Video

2025-12-02

Pope Leo XIV opens hospital visit with Arabic ’Sabah el-kheir’ — Video

Pope Leo XIV tells Lebanese youth Lebanon’s future ‘is in your hands’; watch full speech here

2025-12-01

Pope Leo XIV tells Lebanese youth Lebanon’s future ‘is in your hands’; watch full speech here

Pope Leo XIV moved by youth turnout in Bkerke: Video

2025-12-01

Pope Leo XIV moved by youth turnout in Bkerke: Video

Pope Leo leaves for Istanbul—Video

Middle East News

2025-11-27

Pope Leo leaves for Istanbul—Video

Pope Leo arrives at Turkey's Presidential Palace—Video

Middle East News

2025-11-27

Pope Leo arrives at Turkey's Presidential Palace—Video

Pope Leo visits Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's mausoleum—Video

Middle East News

2025-11-27

Pope Leo visits Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's mausoleum—Video

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

As Lebanon's gridlock continues, Syria accelerates its own financial reset

1

As Lebanon's gridlock continues, Syria accelerates its own financial reset

Dual-front strategy: Israel intensifies strikes in Lebanon while courting Syria diplomatically

2

Dual-front strategy: Israel intensifies strikes in Lebanon while courting Syria diplomatically

CENTCOM: Syria intercepted multiple weapons shipments bound for Hezbollah

3

CENTCOM: Syria intercepted multiple weapons shipments bound for Hezbollah

US lawmakers urge Lebanon’s leaders to disarm Hezbollah, warn of growing risks

4

US lawmakers urge Lebanon’s leaders to disarm Hezbollah, warn of growing risks

Diplomatic momentum: UN praises Lebanon's negotiation approach, Lebanon pushes for international guarantees

5

Diplomatic momentum: UN praises Lebanon's negotiation approach, Lebanon pushes for international guarantees

PM Salam meets Syrian President in Doha to discuss bilateral cooperation

6

PM Salam meets Syrian President in Doha to discuss bilateral cooperation

PM Salam meets Qatar’s Emir: Lebanon urges Qatar to sustain its vital role and support international efforts to stabilize the South

7

PM Salam meets Qatar’s Emir: Lebanon urges Qatar to sustain its vital role and support international efforts to stabilize the South

Egyptian FM tells LBCI: Cairo backs Lebanon’s efforts to avert escalation with Israel and restore stability

8

Egyptian FM tells LBCI: Cairo backs Lebanon’s efforts to avert escalation with Israel and restore stability

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