NZ resident extradited to Australia over deaths of 350

A New Zealand resident has been extradited to Australia to face trial over the deaths of more than 350 people.

Maythem Kamil Radhi was allegedly involved in the smuggling of a boatload of people from Indonesia before the vessel sank in 2001.

The Australian government spent years trying to extradite the 43-yearold Iraqi man before he was arrested on arrival at Brisbane Airport on Friday.

In court, police will allege he took payments from passengers and facilitated transportation and accommodation before the journey to Australia.

Radhi yesterday appeared at Brisbane Magistrates Court, where he was remanded in custody to reappear on October 31.

In December 2017, Radhi avoided extradition to Australia following a ruling in the Supreme Court here after his appeal was accepted.

The court said he faced “extraordinary circumstances” and the case was referred to Justice Minister Andrew Little to review.

Radhi was allegedly part of a syndicate which organised the transportation of people on a fishing boat known as Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel (SIEV) X. Two other men had already faced court in Australia following their role in the 2001 venture, AFP reported.

The vessel sank in international waters on October 19, 2001, and resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people.

Australian police commissioner Reece Kershaw said Radhi’s arrest showed they would never waver in their commitment to bring smugglers to justice. Radhi was living in Indonesia at the time of the sinking, having arrived there in March 2000.

He was later recognised as a refugee under religious persecution grounds by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Radhi, his wife and two children were granted refugee status and upon arrival in March 2009, a residence permit. Australian authorities began extradition proceedings in 2010.