Hakeem al-Araibi arrives in Australia after Thai detention

Refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday, 77 days after he was arrested in Thailand on an Interpol red notice, drawing global condemnation and a campaign to see him freed.

The Bahraini citizen was detained in Bangkok in November while on honeymoon, at the request of Bahrain authorities.

Following international outcry and diplomatic pressure, the Arab kingdom ended its extradition attempt on Monday.

The 25-year-old refugee walked through the gates to cheers and a waiting group of supporters wearing T-shirts emblazoned with his name, as well as a throng of media, friends, and supporters.

“It’s amazing to see all of the people here and all of the Australian people and all of the media who supported me,” said al-Araibi. “And I just wanted to thank the Australian government, the Australian people.”

He stood next to former Socceroo Craig Foster, who spearheaded the campaign to free him.

“I want to thank this man who fights so much for my case,” Al-Araibi said of Foster.

“I thank the media, all the human rights. Thank you. I will be more strong for this country and I will be strong here for Australia. This is my country. I didn’t have citizenship yet, but my country is Australia. I love Australia.”

The crowd erupted into cheers and shouts of “Welcome Home Hakeem”, and “It’s good to have you brother.”

Foster said there was an “amazing coalition” of people around the world who worked to free Al-Araibi.

He thanked prime minister Scott Morrison and foreign affairs minister Marise Payne, thanking Payne in particular for taking the issue personally and working “incredibly hard”.

The professional footballer and vocal critic of Bahrain authorities had fled to Australia in 2014 where he was granted political asylum.

Bahrain had sentenced him in absentia to 10 years for vandalizing a police station, charges which he has denied.

The Arab kingdom had sought his extradition, but human rights groups warned that he risked torture if he was sent back.

The footballer plays for Melbourne team Pascoe Vale FC. Many of the team's members were at the airport on Tuesday.