CANBERRA, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has renewed calls for refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi to be released from detention in Thailand.
Prime Minister (PM) Scott Morrison on Tuesday night confirmed he has written to his Thai counterpart, Prayut Chan-o-cha, requesting that al-Araibi be allowed to return to Australia where he is a resident.
"I was very disturbed at the appearance of Hakeem at the hearing the other day. He was shackled and I thought that was very upsetting and I know it would have upset many Australians," he said during an appearance on Sky News Australia.
"I am respectfully reminding the Thai PM that Australians feel very strongly about this.
"We will continue to make these representations. And not just to Thailand but also to Bahrain as well, and we are."
Al-Araibi was arrested on arrival in Thailand in November 2018 with his native Bahrain requesting extradition so he can face trial for allegedly vandalizing a police station before he fled the country.
Al-Araibi, a former member of Bahrain's national football team who plays semi-professionally in Australia, told a Thai court on Monday that he feared he would be tortured if he is returned to Bahrain.
Marise Payne, Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, said she was "deeply concerned by his ongoing detention", promising to advocate at the "highest levels" for his release.
"The Australian government reiterates its calls for the Thai government to release Hakeem al-Araibi home to Australia to be with his friends and family following his extradition hearing," she told the Guardian Australia.
