Lawyers for the Indian origin doctor Jayant Patel, linked to the deaths of at least 13 patients in Australia, have warned they will try to block his extradition from the United States by arguing that he would not get a fair trial in Queensland.
Police have forwarded evidence to Queensland's director of public prosecutions, recommending that Patel be charged with four counts of manslaughter, six counts of grievous bodily harm and 16 charges of fraud.
The surgeon has been linked to more than 80 patient deaths at Bundaberg Base Hospital during his two years as director of surgery.
The Davies report into the scandal later linked him to at least 13 deaths and causing harm to 31 other patients. An American citizen, Patel fled Australia to his home in Portland, Oregon, last Easter after allegations about his incompetence were raised in state parliament.
Patel's Portland-based lawyer Stephen Houze said he hoped US courts would not extradite his client to face 'a politically orchestrated media show trial'.