Seventy-seven days after he was arrested in Thailand on an Interpol red notice, Bahraini refugee footballer Hakeem Al Araibi received a hero's welcome on Tuesday morning after he arrived in Melbourne, Australia, according to Reuters.
Araibi's detention ignited global condemnation and a campaign to free him from the Thai prison which held him for two months at Bahrain's request.
The 25-year-old fled his home country in 2014 and received refugee status in Australia, but authorities in Bahrain accused Araibi of crimes carried out during the Arab Spring protests of 2011; a charge he denies.
“Australia is my country. I don’t have citizenship yet, but my country is Australia ... I love Australia,” Araibi said in remarks at the airport as hundreds of supporters showed up to express their support.
The footballer was wearing the shirt of the semi-professional team he plays for in Melbourne, Pascoe Vale.
Araibi was arrested in November while he was on his honeymoon due to the Interpol red notice, which Bahrain issued even though he has refugee status.
“It’s amazing to see all of the people here and all of the Australian people and all of the media who supported me,” said Araibi. “And I just wanted to thank the Australian government, the Australian people.”
Craig Foster, a retired Australian soccer player who helped lead the campaign to free him, stood next to Araibi as he addressed the crowd before thanking the "amazing coalition" of people around the world who helped work on his release, including Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and foreign affairs minister Marise Payne.
“Scott in recent times stepped up, particularly after so many athletes and Olympians asked him to take the issue personally, and he did so, and I thank him,” said Foster. “It made a significant difference.”
“Nevertheless, above all else, this is about a young man getting back to his wife,” he said.
Tim O'Connor from Amnesty International told The Guardian he was "jubilant" at the arrival of the soccer player back to Australia.
“It’s so exciting to be here today to see Hakeem get off that plane,” O’Connor said. “He committed no crime – he was an innocent man caught up in a much bigger political game.”
Araibi's family also released a statement to Guardian Australia which said they were "heartened" by the images of his release but called for continued attention to those still imprisoned in Bahrain.
“We are heartened seeing our released son Hakeem Al-Araibi’s picture; embracing freedom after more than two months,” his mother and siblings said in their letter. "Nonetheless, this indescribable joy would be greater when Hakeem’s detained acquaintances and compatriots are freed from Bahrain’s prisons of persecution.”
His family also said there are many in Bahrain "imprisoned merely in retaliation for their pro-democracy demands. Their parents as well aspire to reunite with them soon."
“The outstanding fight for Hakeem’s case has averred that the continuous and effective efforts would find their way towards success. We and Hakeem thank you again for your effort and free stance and ask you not to forget the oppressed people and prisoners of Bahrain.”
“Our special thanks to the Australian football community and Hakeem’s colleagues; particularly to the former Australia international footballer Craig Foster, who has honestly put nothing before this appalling case and has never lost any chance but to save Hakeem."
-WN.com, Maureen Foody