BANGKOK, Feb 6 (TNA) – The director-general of the Corrections Department assured that Bahraini footballer Hakeem al-Araibi received care of international standard during his custody while the Australian prime minister sent his second letter to pressure Thailand to release him.
In response to criticisms on shackles on the ankles of Mr Araibi during his trip to the Criminal Court on Monday, Corrections director-general Narat Svetanan said prison guards did their best to take care of Mr Araibi in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison sent his second letter to Thailand to demand the release of Mr Araibi who has a refugee status in Australia. The Australian prime minister said he was concerned for seeing the pictures of Mr Araibi being brought to the court with cuffs on his ankles to hear an extradition request from Bahrain. Mr Morrison said he wrote to Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha that the matter was very sensitive to Australians.
The Football Federation Australia canceled a planned training session and friendly match of Australia’s national under-23 team in Thailand and also urged football circles to push for the release of Mr Araibi.
The Bahraini footballer was arrested in Thailand in late November when he arrived with his wife for vacation. A Bahraini court earlier sentenced him in absentia to 10 years in jail for damaging a police station. (TNA)
