Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): The Gulf Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (GIDHR) said FIFA should impose sanctions on both Bahrain and Thailand in the case of Bahraini football player Hakeem Al-Araibi.

Al-Araibi was brought to trial in Thailand, and extradition proceedings were officially initiated in Bahrain.

He was brought to the courtroom, handcuffed and with his feet shackled.

Al-Araibi refused in court the matter of returning to Bahrain.

"The way Hakeem was brought to court was humiliating, revealing the possibility of him being subjected to ill-treatment. There is real concern about his mental and physical health, especially knowing that three Thai police officers were involved in the torture of Bahraini refugee, Ali Haroun, in December 2014 before being extradited to Bahrain," said Yahya Al-Hadid, head of the Gulf Institute for Democracy and Human Rights.

"We call upon all diplomatic missions in Thailand to condemn the unlawful detention of Hakeem Al-Araibi and putting him at risk of being extradited to Bahrain, where he was tortured in the past," he said, adding that "Bahrain's statements on the Hakeem case were a major point of concern revealing Bahrain's intention to raise fabricated charges against him if  extradited."

"FIFA now has a duty to exert maximum pressure on both Thailand and Bahrain. We call on FIFA to impose sanctions on both countries because of their human rights violations," he concluded.

The court decided to hold the next hearing on April 22, and rejected the request for his release on bail. He will therefore remain in custody until then.

Arabic Version