Refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi will be freed from his Thai jail cell and allowed to return home to Australia.

Jakarta : Refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi will be freed from his Thai jail cell and allowed to return home to Australia.

The shock move to release Araibi, rather than extradite him to the country of his birth, Bahrain, is a major surprise and one that will delight the thousands of people who have supported his quest for freedom.

Araibi’s lawyer, Nadthasiri Bergman, confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that Araibi would be released.

He could be on his way home as soon as Monday evening.

Araibi was detained by Thai authorities on November 27 when arrived in Bangkok for a one week honeymoon with his wife.

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