Thailand frees soccer player

A THAI court has released a soccer player following pressure from Australia’s government, sporting bodies and human rights groups to send Hakeem al-Araibi, pictured. Mr al-Araibi will now fly back to Australia, where he has refugee status and plays semi-professional soccer.

Mr al-Araibi, 25, had been facing extradition to Bahrain, to serve a ten-year prison sentence for an arson attack on a police station, charges which he denies and says are politically motivated.