Australians who helped rescue Thai cave boys appeal for Bahraini football refugee

[rooster59]

Australians who helped rescue Thai cave boys appeal for Bahraini football refugee

By Alison Bevege

 

Jailed Bahraini footballer Hakeem Al Araibi leaves Thailand's Criminal Court, in Bangkok, Thailand February 4, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Two Australian divers who helped save 12 Thai boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave have written to the Thai prime minister to ask for the release of a Bahraini footballer with refugee status in Australia, media reported on Saturday.

 

The case of Hakeem Al Araibi, 25, has drawn international criticism as a Thai court considers an extradition request from Bahrain for him to serve a 10-year sentence related to the Arab Spring uprising of 2011. He denies the charges.

 

He was arrested at a Bangkok airport in November when he arrived from Australia with his wife for their honeymoon. He says he faces torture in Bahrain and wants to return to Australia, where he has lived since 2014 and plays for a Melbourne football club.

 

Divers Richard Harris and Craig Challen were honoured as Australians of the Year in January for their help to rescue a junior football team and its assistant coach trapped in Thailand's Tham Luang cave in July.

 

They have now joined a growing campaign to press for the release of Araibi, writing a letter to Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, ABC News reported.

 

Challen confirmed a letter had been sent but declined to give more information when contacted by Reuters on Saturday.

 

A spokesman for the Thai prime minister was not immediately available for comment.

 

Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne would not comment on the letter when asked by reporters at a news conference in New Zealand, but said the government was monitoring the legal proceedings and assisting Araibi's defence lawyer.

 

"In relation to our engagement with the Thai government, we have engaged at the highest levels to ensure that Mr Al Araibi is returned to his home in Melbourne, his friends and family as soon as possible," she said.

 

Soccer players and organisations around the world have called for Araibi's release including the sport's governing body, FIFA and the international players' union FIFPro, which represents 65,000 professional footballers.

 

Bahrain's embassy in Bangkok said Araibi was a fugitive who should be returned.

 

Araibi was convicted of vandalising a police station during 2011 anti-government protests in Bahrain and sentenced in absentia after he fled.

 

He denies the charges, saying he was playing in a televised soccer match at the time of the police station attack.

 

New York-based Human Rights Watch has said Araibi was tortured by Bahraini authorities because of his brother's political activities during the 2011 protests.

 

Bahraini authorities deny allegations of torture.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-02-09

[PJPom]

Today’s terrorist is tomorrow’s freedom fighter, how often have we had this description applied to absolute scum.

I am not saying that this man is a terrorist , BUT his country has judged and sentenced him as a terrorist, who are we to overturn a legal process in another country.

Would there be an outcry if UK or US wanted him ?.

Just as a footnote nearly every publicised case involving a failed refugee application or an appeal against deportation in Australia stresses their sporting prowess, they are always stars with great potential, never people just using the power of social media influence.

Edited February 9, 2019 by PJPom
Footnote

[sanemax]

4 minutes ago, PJPom said:

Today’s terrorist is tomorrow’s freedom fighter, how often have we had this description applied to absolute scum.

I am not saying that this man is a terrorist , BUT his country has judged and sentenced him as a terrorist, who are we to overturn a legal process in another country.

Would there be an outcry if UK or US wanted him ?.

He didnt get judged as a terrorist , they accused him and found him guilty of trashing a Police station , his defense of "I was playing a football game on live TV at the time" wasnt accepted  .

   The other people also accused of trashing the Police station were released on appeal .

Seems like this guy has been set up by the Bahrain state and accusing him of doing things that he didnt do 

[rkidlad]

7 minutes ago, PJPom said:

Today’s terrorist is tomorrow’s freedom fighter, how often have we had this description applied to absolute scum.

I am not saying that this man is a terrorist , BUT his country has judged and sentenced him as a terrorist, who are we to overturn a legal process in another country.

Would there be an outcry if UK or US wanted him ?.

Because Bahrain has a disgusting record of human rights abuses. 

 

Not all cultures are equal. 

[tifino]

 

... put the very notion of a 'cave' into their heads...

 

and then we hear they bury him to his neck!   (head first)

[connda]

If Hakeem Al Araibi was a 25 year old shop-keeper as opposed to a world-class footballer, would this even be in the cross-hairs of Western main-steam media? 
No, it would not.  The Red Notice would have been issued and would more than likely still be in effect, although it may eventually be recinded base on his refugee status.  This whole thing is 'high-profile' because Hakeem Al Araibi is a 'somebody' refugee as opposed to being a commoner refugee.  

Now, what should actually be coming under scrutiny here?  How about the entire Interpol system.  How about hardening that system so some bureaucrat in Canberra doen't have the option to issue a Red Notice on behalf and a nation who wants a citizen back who has already been granted refugee status in the country that issues the Red Notice.  Then lets not even contemplate the stupidity of Hakeem Al Araibi for leaving his host country when there is a bounty on his head internationally. 

I can understand why the Thai authorities are following though.  Perhaps in the hopes that another nation will follow though on the Red Notices (think Red Bull / Thaksin, etc) that have been issued by Thailand that are being ignored. 

 

Regarding the shackles?  Australia doesn't shackle prisoners in transit to court?  Perhaps they don't shackle 'super-star' footballer prisoners, but I'm pretty sure all the common Aussies are shacked.  "We're aghast at this treatment of shackling this prisoner!!!" that your own country no doubt imposes on virtually all their own prison populations.  The simpering is disingenuous. 

Edited February 9, 2019 by connda

[ReMarKable]

26 minutes ago, Thechook said:

He hasn't produced any evidence in his defence and fled the country after the crime.  Absolutely no evidence available to the fact he was elsewhere at the time.   Australia doesn't even have this evidence, it's just he's word and absolutely nothing to support him

why should he have to prove his innocence?  Where is their video of him trashing the station?  They have not proved his guilt.

[Zack61]

Hands up if you think you’d get a fair shake in Bahrain if it was a political witch hunt? I too would have made a run for it if I knew I was innocent. 

[Huckenfell]

1 hour ago, PJPom said:

Today’s terrorist is tomorrow’s freedom fighter, how often have we had this description applied to absolute scum.

I am not saying that this man is a terrorist , BUT his country has judged and sentenced him as a terrorist, who are we to overturn a legal process in another country.

Would there be an outcry if UK or US wanted him ?.

Just as a footnote nearly every publicised case involving a failed refugee application or an appeal against deportation in Australia stresses their sporting prowess, they are always stars with great potential, never people just using the power of social media influence.

This from a person who obviously neither cares or knows the full fact of the case nor has any idea of the politics of that country

[4MyEgo]

The simplest of all facts is continuously being overlooked by the Thai government, that he has, "refugee status" in Australia, something the Thai government isn't acknowledging because it has a BAD track record of sending refugees, or those seeking refugee status back to their countries to deal with whatever they have to deal with, persecution I could imagine.

 

Sure, someone at the AFP stuffed up because they didn't check to see if he had refugee status in Australia, but the fact of the matter is, he does, and who the hell is Thailand to not acknowledge this, this is what refugee status is given to people for, i.e. fear of being persecuted if returned to their country.

 

Thailand has disgraced itself internationally once again, because it is inept to deal with issues at the core.

 

The simplest solution was to say, oh ok, we see, the notice has now been taken down in error, Bahrain, solly, but you will have to take it up with Australia as we have released him because he has "refugee status" with Australia, but no, some dipstick who thinks he is up there is flaunting the "Thai Law" which it thinks is above international law !

 

Thailand it's time to wake up, unfortunately the left never knows what the right is doing and you have outraged a lot of foreigners for the simple fact that you do not recognise "refugee status"

 

For those keyboard warriors who are putting their two bobs worth in from the shallow end of their emotions or lack of, who are you to judge this guy, he has been granted "refugee status", it would appear that your educational skills are as low as the Thai's.

 

Done and dusted !

Edited February 9, 2019 by 4MyEgo

[hobobo]

2 hours ago, PJPom said:

I am not saying that this man is a terrorist , BUT his country has judged and sentenced him as a terrorist, who are we to overturn a legal process in another country.

I could respond with pages and pages of examples, but I'll limit myself to just one. South African Apartheid government tried and sentenced Nelson Mandela as a terrorist. Luckily 99% of the world didn't say "who are we to overturn a legal process in another country". Your argument would make this world a most unpleasant one...

[TopDeadSenter]

2 hours ago, sanemax said:

his defense of "I was playing a football game on live TV at the time" wasnt accepted 

this is factually incorrect. The game he was playing in finished at least 30 minutes before the terror attack on the police station took place. Ample time, and a terrible alibi. Have football players ever displayed rowdy behavior post match ?!?

 

 How about his fans all chip in money and build a new police station for the Bahrainis to replace the one he burnt. Then the Australians can have him back(preferably after he served his time back home), and hope and pray he does not start burning stuff there when he loses his temper the next time. 

[White Christmas13]

1 hour ago, connda said:

If Hakeem Al Araibi was a 25 year old shop-keeper as opposed to a world-class footballer, would this even be in the cross-hairs of Western main-steam media? 
No, it would not.  The Red Notice would have been issued and would more than likely still be in effect, although it may eventually be recinded base on his refugee status.  This whole thing is 'high-profile' because Hakeem Al Araibi is a 'somebody' refugee as opposed to being a commoner refugee.  

Now, what should actually be coming under scrutiny here?  How about the entire Interpol system.  How about hardening that system so some bureaucrat in Canberra doen't have the option to issue a Red Notice on behalf and a nation who wants a citizen back who has already been granted refugee status in the country that issues the Red Notice.  Then lets not even contemplate the stupidity of Hakeem Al Araibi for leaving his host country when there is a bounty on his head internationally. 

I can understand why the Thai authorities are following though.  Perhaps in the hopes that another nation will follow though on the Red Notices (think Red Bull / Thaksin, etc) that have been issued by Thailand that are being ignored. 

 

Regarding the shackles?  Australia doesn't shackle prisoners in transit to court?  Perhaps they don't shackle 'super-star' footballer prisoners, but I'm pretty sure all the common Aussies are shacked.  "We're aghast at this treatment of shackling this prisoner!!!" that your own country no doubt imposes on virtually all their own prison populations.  The simpering is disingenuous. 

guess you never been to Australia with a crap comment like this

[4MyEgo]

14 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

this is factually incorrect. The game he was playing in finished at least 30 minutes before the terror attack on the police station took place. Ample time, and a terrible alibi. Have football players ever displayed rowdy behavior post match ?!?

 

 How about his fans all chip in money and build a new police station for the Bahrainis to replace the one he burnt. Then the Australians can have him back(preferably after he served his time back home), and hope and pray he does not start burning stuff there when he loses his temper the next time. 

Your not LISTENING !!!

 

He has "refugee status" with Australia, Thailand should have acknowledged that the moment the red notice was taken down, i.e. recognise that it is not above "international law", now it's desperately trying to take cover because it knows it farked up.

 

Watch this space, they are going to be in for a hell of a ride, trust me on this, bloody idiots !!!

[khunJeroen]

For those who think this is world news, in Europe but even in SG where I live, this is not at all in the news and probably nobody even cares. In principle I agree that Thailand should decide in court to be transparent to all parties. In general, imo it shows a lack of diplomacy that the Aussies play it via the media and publicly put Thai government under pressure. In Asia you often achieve the opposite doing so. 

 

 

 

Edited February 9, 2019 by khunJeroen

[ballpoint]

Perhaps Elon Musk can build him a mini submarine and help him to escape?

[metisdead]

1 hour ago, TopDeadSenter said:

this is factually incorrect. The game he was playing in finished at least 30 minutes before the terror attack on the police station took place. Ample time, and a terrible alibi. Have football players ever displayed rowdy behavior post match ?!?

 

 How about his fans all chip in money and build a new police station for the Bahrainis to replace the one he burnt. Then the Australians can have him back(preferably after he served his time back home), and hope and pray he does not start burning stuff there when he loses his temper the next time. 

 

Please provide a link to back up your facts. 

[sanemax]

13 minutes ago, TMNH said:

And Bahrain is to be considered to be a  fair and recognized country? And Australia, keep your f...g nose out of business that doesn't involve you. Funny how the Saudi girl was coming there, yet you did nothing. And yes, OZ is nothing:)

Maybe you are mistaking me for Australia ?

I am not Australia and neither am I an Australian 

[simple1]

32 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Oh I'm listening alright. Now it's your turn.

 

 The refugee vetting process is Oz is well and truly rooted. Heaps of violent criminals have been let in thanks to this broken down vetting process and chaos has been the result. Merely stating that person A has been given refugee status therefore butter wouldn't melt in his mouth is BS. And yes this is a very sad state of affairs, had the vetting process been applied fairly and properly by trained professionals there would not be such distrust.

 Now I know you will all say there has been no violent crimes done by these refugees. And they are in danger they are not dangerous or whatever buzz phrases are fashionable these days but....

 

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/blogs/andrew-bolt/melbourne-attack-our-fifth-by-muslim-refugees/news-story/e02e9d44d85cb7e1296e4942172703d4

 

 Now for the last time, can we let the judicial processes take their course without Thai bashing. None of us know the truth of the matters here. He has already been convicted back in Bahrain and seeing as he was dumb enough to leave the soft touch Oz this is his own doing. He chose to roll the dice, let's see what happens. He is clearly an extreme risk taker which gives me serious misgivings about his alleged innocence.

 

 

The person you refer to in your link arrived in Oz as a child. The Head of Australian intelligence refuted your and David Bolt's (right of centre commentator) allegations. 

 

For reasons only know to yourself you repeatedly post misinformation regards this matter. Will YOU cease being an apologise for a Sunni minority dictatorship with a documented record of oppression and torture.

 

The most significant human rights issues included reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings by security forces; allegations of torture of detainees and prisoners; harsh and potentially life-threatening conditions of detention; arbitrary arrest and detention; political prisoners; unlawful interference with privacy; restrictions on freedom of expression, including by the press and via the internet; restriction of academic and cultural events; restrictions on the rights of association and assembly; allegations of restrictions on freedom of movement, including arbitrary citizenship revocation; and limits on Shia political participation.

 

https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/277481.pdf

[TopDeadSenter]

6 minutes ago, metisdead said:

Please provide a link to back up your facts. 

He has always maintained his innocence and pointed to the fact that he was playing in a soccer game that was broadcast on live TV in Bahrain until about 30 minutes before the alleged crime was committed.

 

https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/why-did-they-put-chains-on-me-i-m-not-an-animal-hakeem-al-araibi-speaks-from-prison-20190205-p50vsw.html

[metisdead]

Inflammatory posts and the replies have been removed.

 

Off topic posts and the replies have been removed.

[metisdead]

5 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

He has always maintained his innocence and pointed to the fact that he was playing in a soccer game that was broadcast on live TV in Bahrain until about 30 minutes before the alleged crime was committed.

 

https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/why-did-they-put-chains-on-me-i-m-not-an-animal-hakeem-al-araibi-speaks-from-prison-20190205-p50vsw.html

 

Thank you.

[metisdead]

A post containing unsubstantiated allegations has been removed as well as the replies. 

[simple1]

4 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

He has always maintained his innocence and pointed to the fact that he was playing in a soccer game that was broadcast on live TV in Bahrain until about 30 minutes before the alleged crime was committed.

 

https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/why-did-they-put-chains-on-me-i-m-not-an-animal-hakeem-al-araibi-speaks-from-prison-20190205-p50vsw.html

You are asserting the guy vandalised a police station (note not a terror attack) without any factual information whatsoever other than highly likely false charges in a Sharia Criminal Court. As posted above Bahrain has a well documented regime of oppression against any opposition to the Bahraini royal family for which he had previously been detained and tortured.

[simple1]

58 minutes ago, khunJeroen said:

For those who think this is world news, in Europe but even in SG where I live, this is not at all in the news

Incorrect - UK, USA, Canada, France, FIFA etc Google is your friend

[4MyEgo]

1 hour ago, khunJeroen said:

For those who think this is world news, in Europe but even in SG where I live, this is not at all in the news and probably nobody even cares. In principle I agree that Thailand should decide in court to be transparent to all parties. In general, imo it shows a lack of diplomacy that the Aussies play it via the media and publicly put Thai government under pressure. In Asia you often achieve the opposite doing so. 

 

 

 

What right has Thailand to detain him ?

 

It has no  treaty with Bahrain to return him to Bahrain.

 

Thailand apprehended him because they were notified by the Australian Federal Police that he was on his way there and that there was a red notice for his arrest from Interpol, when Australia noticed the error, they informed Interpol to take the notice down as he has "Refugee Status", Interpol recognised this and removed the red notice, why has Thailand failed to release him, it is putting itself above international law, by arguing that it's own law is above international law, which grants him and recognises him as a "refugee", you cannot argue that Thailand has a bad track record when it comes to refugees, i.e. sending them back to where they came from or refusing to recognise "refugees".

 

Thailand is trying to put the blame on Australia, when itself fails to recognise international law which recognises that he is a "refugee", what makes it worse is it doesn't have a treaty with Bahrain, Thailand doesn't even know how to submit red notices, it's comedy cappers all the way and they are making themselves a laughing stock of the world s usual, I am not Thai bashing, just stating the facts. 

 

What can they possibly achieve by holding him until their courts decide, the whole system is flawed because it does not recognise his status as a "refugee" under international law, they think they are above the law, that is what it implies !

 

Thailand MUST take a stand and release him, and tell Bahrain to take it up with Australia, doing it any other way shows that they are just plain interfering with international law in my opinion, and a lot of other people's opinions.

 

Shame on Thailand for not showing leadership and as always pointing the finger at others.

Edited February 9, 2019 by 4MyEgo

[harada]

Just going by some TV footage that I saw yesterday ( something that could only be aired outside of Thailand ) it looks like this guys fate may have already been decided from far away, sad.

[Howard]

The fact that the guys involved in the cave rescue have been prepared to speak out on this is telling. There is little doubt they would have considered their position very carefully before becoming involved and this must be an added embarrassment for the Thai authorities who are stone-walling on the issue. It is time for them to find a way out of this rather than continue compounding the situation, as they have so ineptly done. This is not Thai bashing, this is bashing the idiots who have allowed this situation to develop, with the major players being Thai authorities. 

[Spock]

Unfortunately the Australian's don't have a good record in recently failing to rescue 3 women from the clutches of the Thais and Saudi authorities (4 Corners 4 Feb) and they appear to have made a mess of Hakeem's situation. This doesn't mean I think the Thais have acted in the best interests of international justice. There are rumours of backroom relationships compromising natural justice in Hakeem's case. But there is a lack of clarity or sense of purpose involved in Australia's diplomatic performance with Thailand and these Saudi women. The Australian stance has been questionable till proven otherwise by a safe return.

Edited February 9, 2019 by Spock
error

[Howard]

I think the Australian stance is pretty clear. The PM has twice written directly to the Thai PM in recent days requesting his return to Australia. The Australian Foreign Minister has raised the issue with the Thai authorities during a recent visit to Thailand. The Australian PM has made public statements on the Australian position.

 

The latest suggestion is that he be given Australian citizenship as this would change Australia's status in negotiating with the Thai authorities on his behalf. Will be interesting to see if this eventuates...