Supporters of former Bahrain footballer Hakeem Al-Araibi are calling for his country and Thailand to be banned from international sport until he's released from jail in Bangkok, an arrest made at the urging of Manama. The 25-year-old defender is now fighting extradition, saying his life could be endangered if he's sent home. CGTN's Martin Lowe has more.

Hakeem Al-Araibi – seen here at a Bangkok court in prison uniform and with his legs chained – was arrested while on honeymoon in Thailand. After criticizing the regime in his native Bahrain, he fled in 2014, and was granted refugee status in Australia. A former Bahraini international footballer, he joined the Melbourne side Pascoe Vale. It appears Bahrain made no attempt to extradite Al-Araibi during his four years in Australia – despite imposing a 10-year prison sentence in his absence – on a charge of firebombing a police station. The footballer says the charge is politically motivated and claims he was playing in a televised match at the time. He says he fears for his safety if he is deported to Bahrain. On arrival in Thailand in November 2018, the 25 year-old was taken into custody on the basis of an Interpol arrest warrant, a warrant that was later apparently declared invalid.

MARTIN LOWE BANGKOK REMAND PRISON "Two factors may have influenced Thailand's decision – one, the country doesn't routinely recognize refugee status – two, there are strong economic links between Thailand and Bahrain. However, Australia also says Thailand was put 'in a very difficult position' once Bahrain made a formal extradition request."

Thailand says the case is different from that of the Saudi teen Rahaf Al-Qunun, who was detained then allowed to leave Thailand and travel to Canada, despite requests from her family that she be returned. Thai authorities say Al-Qunun faced no charges and no extradition request was made. Former Australian soccer captain Craig Foster is leading the campaign for Al-Araibi's release.

CRAIG FOSTER FORMER AUSTRALIA CAPTAIN "Bahrain has put Thailand in an awful position here. This is a retributive case of trying to get someone who voiced opposition to their royal family and they're using Thailand to do so."

The Thai government says the law courts will be left to make an impartial and independent decision based on international convention.

TRUM CHALEEJUN THAI ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SPOKESMAN "The Thai government's position is that it will not intervene, nor interfere nor try to influence, the criminal justice system."

Thailand says this is a dispute between Bahrain and Australia and it has "no stake" in the issue.

Martin Lowe, CGTN, Bangkok.