Bahraini refugee, Hakeem Al-Araibi leaves Thailand's Criminal Court, in Bangkok, Thailand 04 February, 2019. (Photo by Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Photo: NurPhoto
Hakeem al-Araibi was a star footballer with Bahrain when he was caught in anti-government protests inspired by the Arab Spring that kicked off in 2011.
He was accused of vandalising a police station - at the exact time he was playing in a televised football match. He was detained and tortured, and although allowed to continuing playing upon his release, was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in jail.
He fled to Australia and was granted refugee status. But a trip to Thailand on his honeymoon and bureaucratic bungling saw him jailed and threatened with deportation back to Bahrain.
His life hung in the balance until a massive campaign was launched to free him, spearheaded by former Socceroo's captain Craig Foster.
Hakeem's plight and the battle to free him as been turned into a documentary by Michael Bates called The Defenders, which is available now to view on Prime Video.
Photo: Prime Video
