1. Thailand had previously not been aware of Mr. Hakeem’s case and does not have any prejudice against him. Indeed, we would not have become involved in the issue had we not received the red notice alert from the Australian Interpol and the subsequent formal request by Bahrain for his arrest and extradition. 

2. It took several days after the arrival of Mr. Hakeem, before the Australian authorities informed us that the red notice had been cancelled. By that time, legal proceedings in Thailand regarding Mr. Hakeem had already started and could not be reversed.

3. The case is now under the purview of the Court of Justice. In proceeding with the legal process, the Executive Branch cannot interfere with the judicial process. This is an internationally recognised principle upheld by all countries, including Australia.

4. We ask that everyone refrain from prejudging the Court’s rulings and prematurely jumping to the conclusion that Thailand will extradite Mr. Hakeem back to Bahrain. The Court will consider this case thoroughly and in accordance with the due process of law and the evidence provided, including Bahrain’s arrest warrant and court order for Mr. Hakeem, who had been convicted under Bahraini laws. In their formal request, Bahrain has provided us with all relevant documents. The Office of the Attorney General has considered those documents and found that they meet the legal conditions to be filed to the Court. Thus, the Office of the Attorney General has filed the extradition request with the Court of Justice for the latter’s consideration.

5. At the same time, the Thai Court is ready to consider all facts and evidence presented to it by Mr. Hakeem’s lawyers.

6. Thailand does not gain anything from holding Mr. Hakeem in custody. But as a sovereign country that has legal obligations and commitments to the international community, Thailand finds itself in the middle of a case involving two countries competing for Mr. Hakeem’s custody. Under such circumstances, Thailand has no other legitimate option but to (1) cooperate in accordance with the law and (2) suggest that the two countries, both good friends of Thailand and good friends with one another, talk to each other to sort out their problems and come up with their own solution, instead of trying to find an indirect solution from Thailand, who has only become involved in this case by chance.

7. We therefore believe that we have a legitimate right to urge Australia and Bahrain to talk to each other and find a mutually agreeable solution. No matter what that solution may be, Thailand stands ready to support it in order to achieve a result that is mutually satisfactory (win-win) for all.

8. Thailand hopes that Australia and Bahrain will have the goodwill to earnestly work together towards finding a win-win solution to this issue.  In that way, we believe that those following this case in Thailand and around the world will praise both Australia and Bahrain for their efforts.