American surgeon to face manslaughter charges

Brisbane: An Indian-born American surgeon was returned to Australia on Monday to face manslaughter charges for what authorities say were botched or unnecessary operations that killed three people.

Dr. Jayant Patel, 58, was escorted without handcuffs by two Australian police officers on a Qantas Airways flight from Los Angeles to Brisbane.

He had been in custody in Portland, since March 11, and late last month agreed to an extradition request by the Australian government.

He was expected to appear at a Brisbane court hearing on Monday to face three counts of manslaughter and other charges for grievous bodily harm and fraud. He faces up to life in prison if convicted of any of the manslaughter charges.

Patel's return received blanket coverage by Australian media, which have dubbed him "Dr. Death." News cars and helicopters followed a small police motorcade from the airport to cells in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland state.

The department gave him a one-way ticket in April 2005, despite allegations being raised in Queensland's legislature that he had been responsible for the death of at least one patient.

Patel was employed at Bundaberg Base Hospital from early 2003 to early 2005. In late 2003, he was promoted to director of surgery.

A government inquiry concluded that Patel may have contributed directly to 13 deaths due to an "unacceptable level of care" at the hospital, but he has not been formally charged in all those cases.