Refugee footballer vows to ‘die’ in Australia

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - Bahraini footballer who was detained by Thai police for more than two months returned to Australia to a resounding welcome.

Hakeem al-Araibi, 25, landed in Melbourne, his second home since 2014, Tuesday after a court in Bangkok ordered his release a day earlier.

Dozens of Araibi’s supporters were at Tullamarine Airport to meet him who were holding signs and banners, according to SBS news.

“I would like to say thanks to Australia. It's amazing to see all of the people here,” Araibi told the crowd. “This is my country ... I love Australia.”

Al-Araibi was detained in Thailand last November after arriving in the capital with his wife.

Bahrain sought his extradition where al-Araibi was wanted in a 2014 case related to the 2011 anti-government protests in Manama.

Al-Araibi has rejected the charges as "politically-motivated," arguing he was playing in a televised football match at the time the alleged offenses were committed.

“Australia is my country. I don't have citizenship yet, but my country is Australia,” Araibi said after he disembarked from his flight. “I love Australia, I will die in Australia.”

He thanked supporters, who cheered: "Welcome home Hakeem!"

He has been living in Australia as a refugee since 2014 after he fled Bahrain fearing for his life.

His detention generated a global outrage against Thailand and Bahrain with Australian premier writing twice to the Thai junta to release the footballer who plays for a Melbourne club.

SBS news said that soon after al-Araibi's release, Bahrain's Foreign Ministry said his 10-year jail sentence remained in place and reaffirmed the country's right to “pursue all necessary legal actions against him.”