AlAraibi faces extradition fight as court approves detention
The Criminal Court has approved the continued detention of a former member of Bahrain’s national football team for a further 60 days, pending a petition by prosecutors to seek his extradition back to Bahrain.
Hakeem AlAraibi has been critical of the Bahrain government and currently holds refugee status in Australia.
AlAraibi was stopped by immigration police on Nov 27 after arriving in Bangkok from Australia for a vacation with his wife, following an Interpol notice issued at Bahrain’s request.
His continued detention was in response to a warrant for his arrest approved by the court on Friday. The warrant was sought by officials of the International Affairs Department under the Office of the Attorney-General, which is seeking his extradition to face prosecution in Bahrain.
Based on the warrant request, AlAraibi was accused in his country of carrying out an arson attack there which endangered lives and property.
He was also accused of taking part in an illegal assembly, using force to commit crimes and causing a public disturbance. AlAraibi was also charged in Bahrain with possessing inflammable items with an intent to cause harm to lives and property as well as damaging a vehicle.
Prosecutors yesterday brought AlAraibi to court to seek the 60-day detention, pending a formal process in which prosecutors will lodge a petition to seek his extradition. During the period, officials will also have to wait for evidence connected to AlAraibi’s cases from the Bahrain government.
The court then approved his detention. AlAraibi’s lawyer, Natthasiri Bergman, said her team has challenged his detention with the court, arguing that he was arrested unlawfully and there was no ground for his apprehension.
She said the court, however, ruled that his arrest in line due process.
“We will move in the trial to oppose the prosecutors’ request to secure his extradition [before the 60-day detention expires],” said Ms Natthasiri, adding that cash and assets have been prepared to be used as surety to seek his bail.
Chatchom Akapin, director-general of the International Affairs Department, said prosecutors will petition to the court to seek his extradition after receiving a formal request from Bahrain.
According to Mr Chatchom, Thailand has no extradition treaty with Bahrain, although both countries can still engage in the process by special arrangement.
AlAraibi reportedly told foreign media at the court that he had done nothing wrong. He said he and his wife wanted to return to Australia and called on the Thai authorities not to extradite him.
He has said that he was arrested and beaten at the start of the Arab Spring protests in 2012, and was granted refugee status by Australia five years later.
Human rights activists and the National Human Rights Commission have called on the Thai government not to extradite him.