US doctor handed to Australia for trial

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, Ore., since March 11 and late last month agreed to an extradition request by the Australian government.

He appeared at a Brisbane court hearing later 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.