Refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi becomes Australian citizen in Melbourne ceremony

Hakeem al-Araibi(26), a refugee footballer who was detained in Thailand becomes an Australian citizen on Tuesday. He had been threatened with extradition to Bahrain and he said that he feels sure “no one can follow me now”, after getting the citizenship.

The citizenship he received was described as a victory for all the organisations and individuals who worked tirelessly for his release from the Thai prison.

Melbourne’s Federation Square had witnessed a ceremony as Australia welcomed its newest citizens, in which Hakeem al-Araibi received his citizenship with 207 others. He had spent more than 70 days in prison with the threat of extradition to Bahrain hanging over him.

He wrote on Twitter, “I am very grateful to you, now I feel safe. No one can follow me now,”.

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