Indian surgeon Jayant Patel, who is accused of manslaughter in Australia, has sought for some more time on his extradition hearing scheduled next week.
Patel's lawyer, Marc Blackman, asked the US judge on Thursday to push back the doctor's April 18 extradition hearing in Portland, Oregon, for at least three weeks so that the doctor could 'evaluate his options'.
The India-born doctor had previously indicated he will vigorously fight extradition to Australia where he faces a lengthy prison term if convicted of the 16 charges, including manslaughter, grievous bodily harm and fraud.
Blackman in the application said that Patel had requested the April 18 extradition hearing be postponed 'for at least three weeks to permit him adequate time to evaluate his options and, if necessary, prepare for the proceeding', The Australian reported on Thursday.
US District Court Judge Dennis Hubel is expected to rule on the schedule change tomorrow when Patel is due to appear in his court in Portland.
The manslaughter charges relate to alleged botched operations Patel performed at Queensland's Bundaberg Base Hospital between 2003 and 2005.
Judge Hubel last week had rejected Patel's bail application.
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