US NRI Dr. Patel arrested
in response to an extradition request by Australian Govt.
PORTLAND, Ore., March 12, 2008
Rajinder Kaur
NRI Dr. Jayant Patel, 57, as known as Dr. Death in the Australian
media, has been arrested in Portland. FBI officials said Patel
put up no resistance when officers knocked on his door in Portland
just after 7.30am local time on Tuesday.
The Australian government has been seeking his extradition to
stand trial for three counts of manslaughter, three of grievous
bodily harm, two of negligent acts or omissions causing harm and
eight fraud offences at Bundaberg Base Hospital in the Australian
state of Queensland. He is to appear in court on Tuesday for a
hearing on the extradition request. The fraud charges relate to
his failure to disclose his work history. He is a U.S. citizen
who worked for years in Oregon before losing his license after
a series of botched surgeries.
According to Australian media, Judy Kemps, wife of Gerry Kemps,
a former Bundaberg patient of Patel who died after being operated
on in December 2004 said, "I can't tell you how happy I am."
Premier Anna Bligh of Queensland said that the case against Patel
as being "as rock solid as it can be."
One expert said, extradition proceedings in the US can take more
than two years before a final decision is reached. Patel's extradition
to Australia may not be as simple as his arrest.
There are good chances that he would never be extradite to Australia
because Dr. Patel is expected to argue that widespread publicity
given to his case in Australia, including being dubbed Dr Death
in the media, will prevent him receiving a fair trial in Queensland.
A leading civil liberties lawyer says it will be extremely difficult
for Dr Jayant Patel to get a fair trial in Queensland, after comments
by Premier Anna Bligh.
On ABC Radio, Dr Vijay Mehta, a supporter and a friend said,
"If Osama bin Laden can get a fair trial in the United States,
Jayant Patel can get a fair trial in Australia."
US government prosecutors said, "The government respectfully
requests that Dr.Jayant Patel be held without bail pending extradition
proceedings against him."
The Judge Dennis Hubel asked if he thought he could afford his
own attorney, Dr. Patel replied, "Most likely not."
Legal aide lawyer, Susan Russell argued that Patel should be
released on bail, but Judge Hubel delayed a decision until Friday.
Russell also told the judge that Dr. Patel does not present a
flight risk to this court.
