"I am dismayed by the ongoing unacceptable situation for the refugee football player Hakeem Al-Araibi. The rightful place for Hakeem is certainly not behind bars in Thailand but outside, with his family, friends and supporters.
Returning Hakeem Al-Araibi to Bahrain would violate international human rights law and put his life in serious danger. Thai immigration authorities should ensure that he is allowed to return to Australia without any harm to his wellbeing."
His cousin, Natalya Kaplan and lawyer, Dmitriy Dinze represented him during the ceremony in Strasbourg.
Awarding the prize, Parliament'S President Antonio Tajani said, "Oleg Sentsov was nominated for his peaceful protest against the illegal occupation of his native Crimea; also for his courage, determination and his convictions in support of human dignity, democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
The members of the delegation were: Linda McAvan (S&D, UK), Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, IT), Anna Maria Corazza Bildt (EPP, SE), Željana Zovko (EPP, HR), Cécile Kyenge (S&D, IT), Elena Valenciano (S&D, ES), Judith Sargentini (Greens/EFA, NL), Laura Ferrara (EFDD, IT), Udo Voigt (NI, DE),