MELBOURNE: Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne has urged Thai authorities on Sunday to release a footballer who holds a refugee status in Australia and who has been detained in Bangkok since late November. Hakeem AlAraibi, a former member of Bahrain’s national soccer team who has been critical of the country’s government, was arrested in Thailand on Nov. 27 based on an Interpol notice issued at Bahrain’s request. AlAraibi was convicted of vandalising a police station in Bahrain and sentenced to 10 years in prison in absentia. He has denied wrongdoing. “Australia is concerned by the ongoing detention of Mr. AlAraibi and calls for his immediate return to Australia,” Payne said in a statement. FIFA has also called on the Thai authorities for the return of AlAraibi to Australia. Published in Daily Times, December 10th 2018.