FILE PHOTO: Jailed Bahraini footballer Hakeem Al Araibi leaves Thailand’s Criminal Court, in Bangkok, Thailand February 4, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A refugee Bahraini footballer with residency status in Australia boarded a plane in Thailand early on Tuesday that would fly directly to Melbourne, where he has lived since 2014 and plays for a local football club.
Hakeem Al Araibi, 25, boarded a Thai Airways flight at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport shortly after midnight, according to a Reuters witness. He was seen talking happily as he walked past the gate to board his plane.
Araibi fled his Gulf Arab homeland in 2014 and received refugee status in Australia but was arrested in November at Bangkok airport while on honeymoon, following an Interpol notice issued at Bahrain’s request. A Thai court dropped Araibi’s case on Monday, saying Bahrain had withdrawn the request.
Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Juarawee Kittisilpa; Editing by Mark Heinrich
Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
more recommended stories
NHL roundup: Stars snap Blues’ winning streak
Jamie Benn recorded his second two-goal.
NBA roundup: Lakers rally past Rockets
The Los Angeles Lakers rallied from.
Golf: Jet-lagged New Zealander felt drunk like a fox at WGC-Mexico
(Reuters) – New Zealander Ryan Fox.
Reports: Ducks, Silfverberg agree to $25 million extension
FILE PHOTO: Nov 27, 2018; Tampa,.
Report: Saints to release veteran S ColemanThe New Orleans Saints are planning.
Tiger to skip Honda Classic, return for Bay Hill and Players
(Reuters) – Tiger Woods shed some.
Report: Boeheim hit, killed man on interstate
Jim Boeheim reportedly struck and killed.
Golf: McIlroy to skip Irish Open to focus on Open Championship
FILE PHOTO: February 17, 2019; Pacific.
NHL roundup: Kane, Blackhawks keep rolling
Patrick Kane scored his second goal.
NBA notebook: Knee soreness sidelines Embiid
Joel Embiid’s return from the All-Star.
NFL notebook: Steelers clear way for RB Bell to be free agent
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell.
Speculation swirls on S Collins’ future with Giants
Landon Collins, a three-time Pro Bowl.
Leave a Comment