BANGKOK, Feb 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thailand dropped extradition proceedings against detained Bahraini refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi on Monday (Feb 11), following a global outcry over the risks he faced if sent home.
“We have been informed that Bahrain wants to withdraw the (extradition) request … if they don’t want him, we have no reason to keep him here,” Chatchom Akapin, director general of the International Affairs Department said.
He added the process to release the footballer was now underway.
Officials in the attorney-general’s office discussed the issue on Monday afternoon (Feb 11), a prosecutor said.
Araibi, who fled Bahrain in 2014 before being granted permanent residence in Australia, was arrested while on honeymoon in Bangkok in November after an Interpol notice was issued at Bahrain’s request.
“We are considering withdrawing the prosecution of Hakeem’s extradition from the Criminal Court so he can be released,” the prosecutor added. — NNN-AGENCIES
