Hakeem Al-Araibi appeared in a Thai court in shackles this week.Credit:AP
The letter will add weight to the campaign for Araibi’s release,which includes football circles,the expatriate Gulf community in Australia and political figures from Prime Minister Scott Morrison down. However,it is understood Dr Harris and Dr Challen do not yet want the details of the letter to be made public.
Araibi has been detained in Thailand since he arrived for a honeymoon on November 27 after Bahrain issued an Interpol red notice,which he should not have been subject to as a recognised refugee.
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Fatima Yazbek from the Gulf Institute for Democracy and Human Rights,which has been campaigning for Araibi’s release for months,welcomed the news the heroes of the Thai cave rescue had expressed their support.
“They rescued those boys and their coach,Thais should appreciate what they’ve done,” she said. “It was such good news to wake up to. We hope the Thais take this request into consideration.”
Ms Yazbek said there was a sense of momentum in the campaign to free Araibi,with former Socceroo Craig Foster raising awareness in Australia,Thailand and Switzerland – where football’s governing body FIFA is located.
Araibi was sentenced to 10 years in jail for crimes during the Arab Spring that he denies;supporters say he earned the wrath of the royal family for speaking out about the torture he suffered before he fled,allegations that are believed to have ended the chance for Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa to lead FIFA.