RALLIES SUPPORT JAILED FOOTBALLER
SCORES of people have rallied across two cities demanding the release of refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi, who is being held in a Thai prison. Melbourne’s Mr al-Araibi has been detained since arriving in Bangkok on holiday on November 27.
A wrongly-issued Interpol red notice, since cancelled, had sought his return to his homeland of Bahrain.
“This is a young man who has been tortured by a country you are working with and are contemplating sending him back to,” former Socceroos captain Craig Foster told a gathering at the Sydney Opera House in comments aimed at the Thai government.
“Thailand needs to understand, together, along with Indonesia, they are seeking to the host the World Cup in 2034. “If you want to host the World Cup you must allow the free transit of players and officials through your country.”
A crowd gathered at Melbourne’s Federation Square chanted “save Hakeem”.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison insists Australia is “pushing on every door” with his counterpart to get Thailand to release Mr al-Araibi. ACTOR John Jarratt has pleaded not guilty to raping a woman more than 40 years ago in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The Wolf Creek star, now 66, is accused of sexually assaulting a then 18-year-old woman at a Randwick home in September 1976.
He formally denied the charge yesterday at Downing Centre District Court and was committed to stand trial from July 1.
Jarratt entered a plea in a lower court in late 2018 but the case was upgraded due to the seriousness of the charge.