Footballer Hakeem Happy to Become Australian Citizen

Hakeem al-Araiby, a former Bahraini international soccer player and refugee, displays his certificate after becoming an Australian citizen Tuesday, four weeks after escaping extradition to his homeland during a much-publicized detention in a Bangkok prison, in Melbourne. Photo: David Crosling / AAP Image via AP
Hakeem al-Araiby, a former Bahraini international soccer player and refugee, displays his certificate after becoming an Australian citizen Tuesday, four weeks after escaping extradition to his homeland during a much-publicized detention in a Bangkok prison, in Melbourne. Photo: David Crosling / AAP Image via AP

SYDNEY — A former Bahraini soccer player and refugee has become an Australian citizen, after detention in a Thai prison and an extradition request from his homeland raised international concern.

Hakeem al-Araiby told reporters he’s “an Aussie now” and is happy to be safe.

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The 25-year-old soccer player fled Bahrain citing political repression and had lived under refugee status in Australia for more than a year until he was detained in Bangkok in November while on holiday.

Bahrain wanted him returned to serve a prison sentence for a vandalism conviction he denies, but Thailand withdrew the extradition case last month after sustained pressure from the Australian government and soccer bodies.

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He became an Australian citizen along with 200 other people at a ceremony in Melbourne on Tuesday.