S Rajagopalan/ENS

Washington, Mar 13: The Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested Indian American surgeon Jayant Patel, branded “Dr Death”, to pave the way for his extradition to Australia to face charges of manslaughter and negligence for the death of 13 of his patients.

The arrest of the 57- year-old Patel from Portland, came in response to an Australian request for extradition in connection with the deaths when Patel was director of surgery at Bundaberg Base Hospital in Queensland from 2003 to 2005.

Patel will appear before a judge on Thursday. His extradition hearing is set for April 10.

A statement by the Oregon state prosecutor said the charges submitted by Australia include three counts of manslaughter, three counts of grievous bodily harm, two counts of negligent acts or omissions causing harm, seven counts of fraud and one count of attempted fraud.

The Jamnagar-born Patel, who moved to the US in 1977, could face up to three life terms in prison plus 100 years if he is convicted on all counts. In 2005, he fled to the US after the Australian authorities launched an inquiry into the deaths of his patients.

A memo filed by the US Attorney’s Office in Portland said Patel “bungled surgeries with tragic results”. He has also been accused of hiding his “history of professional misconduct” and lying repeatedly on forms for registration in Australia.

During a brief appearance before a US Magistrate Judge on Tuesday, Patel was represented by a federal public defender, Susan Russell, after he indicated that he may not be able to afford an attorney.