Bahrain has submitted an official request to extradite Hakeem AlAraibi, a Melbourne-based refugee detained in Bangkok, dashing his supporters' hopes of a quick resolution to the case.
The 25-year-old was detained in November when he arrived in Thailand for his honeymoon and is wanted by Bahrain for vandalism charges that he maintains are politically motivated.
"Bahrain has submitted the extradition request and documents," said Busadee Santipitaks, a spokeswoman for Thailand's Foreign Ministry.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has transmitted the documents to the office of the Attorney-General."
Earlier, Bahrain's Interior Minister criticised calls to release the refugee.
"External interference in the internal affairs of Bahrain is unacceptable," said Interior Minister General Sheik Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.
"AlAraibi was sentenced to 10 years in jail after being convicted in absentia for participation in a case of terrorism in 2012, which involved an arson attack, possession of inflammable bombs, and causing damage to public and private property," said the statement from General Rashid.
Footage of Hakeem AlAraibi playing in a football match at the same time as the alleged vandalism, would appear to give him a solid alibi.
Mr AlAraibi believes he is being targeted for "revenge" after criticising Sheik Salman bin-Ibrahim al-Khalifa when the Bahraini royal ran for the FIFA presidency in 2016.
Sheik Salman is the current president of the Asian Football Confederation and once chaired a committee tasked with identifying athletes who participated in protests against the Government.
Around 150 athletes were arrested and some say they were tortured, including Hakeem AlAraibi.
The star defender fled to Australia and received refugee protection, starting a new life playing for Pascoe Vale FC.
The development of officially asking for extradition is a blow for Hakeem AlAraibi's supporters, who were calling on Bahrain to stand down, and allow the refugee to return to Melbourne.
Mr AlAraibi now faces a lengthy legal process but an advocacy campaign by the international sports community is gaining momentum.
