Dr Death arrested in US, faces extradition to Aus

Patel, 57, who faces life imprisonment if convicted, was ordered held by Portland Judge Hubel, pending a bail hearing on Wednesday.

The NRI medico dubbed as 'Dr Death' by the media in Australia will face an extradition hearing on April 10.

Patel, who was working at the Bundaberg Base Hospital in Australia's Queensland state since 2003, fled to the US in April 2005, a month after an inquiry was launched that finally linked him to several botched operations.

According to a statement released by the Oregon state prosecutor, the charges against Patel include three counts of manslaughter, three counts of grievous bodily harm, two counts of negligent acts or omissions causing harm, five counts of fraud, plus a further two counts of fraud valued at more than USD5000 and one count of attempted fraud.

The maximum penalty for manslaughter is life imprisonment. The other charges carry jail terms ranging from two-and-a-half to 14 years.

Patel, who hails from Jamnagar, Gujarat, had moved to the US in 1977 and was banned from surgery in the US states of New York and Oregon before he arrived in Australia.

The Australian government said it was very pleased with the US cooperation in the case. Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said that Australia had issued an arrest warrant for Patel in the United States and he was arrested on Monday.

"As a consequence extradition proceedings are underfoot," he said.

"We of course are very pleased at the cooperation we have received from the United States authorities," Smith was quoted as saying AAP. He refused to comment further as the matter was subjudice.

A December 2005 report tabled in the Queensland Parliament recommended charging Patel with manslaughter, assault occasioning bodily harm and fraud.

During the brief hearing today, Patel reportedly asked for a public defender to represent him, saying he could not afford a lawyer.

A patient support group in Australia has, meanwhile, expressed relief at his arrest.

Bundaberg Hospital Patients Support Group co-convenor Beryl Crosby said she heard the news today and passed the information to other former patients.

"We made a pact that they were to be told and they were very excited and relieved," she said.