QUEENSLAND Police are ready to tighten security for the return of Dr Jayant Patel, police commissioner Bob Atkinson says.
Mr Atkinson today confirmed that two Queensland police officers left Brisbane this morning for the United States, to assist with the extradition of the former Bundaberg surgeon.
Dr Patel was today moved from a prison in Portland, Oregon, to a secret location, in the first stage of his transfer to Queensland to face allegations he contributed to the deaths of three patients.
Mr Atkinson said he learned about the move this morning, and the Queensland police had planned to leave today prior to the development.
Sources say Dr Patel could be on a flight from the US to Brisbane as early as tomorrow night, but Mr Atkinson would only say he hoped the officers would return "as soon as possible``.
On his return, he would face court as soon as practicable, he said.
"Theoretically, clearly, he would go to the Brisbane watchhouse and would appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court,`` he said in Brisbane today.
The matter of bail was one between police and the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will be present from the first court appearance, he said.
Mr Atkinson said risk assessments and contingency plans were in place to ensure security around Patel`s return to Queensland.
"We believe that however this matter unfolds, we have the capacity to deal appropriately with it,`` he said.
Mr Atkinson said Dr Patel`s security for the flight was at the discretion of his escorting officer, but he didn`t expect the 58-year-old to be handcuffed.
"I don`t see that Patel possesses a threat in terms of his personal behaviour,`` he said.
Police Minister Judy Spence said the Commonwealth Attorney-General had asked Queensland authorities to refrain from comment on the extradition.
Mr Atkinson joined her in an appeal for media calm.
"What we would like, and it may be too big an ask, I accept that, is for the media just to give us the space to complete this extradition process,`` he said.
Mr Atkinson said there was "no question`` Patel would get a fair trial in Queensland.
"In my humble view, Queensland, there would be no place anywhere that would provide a fairer trial,`` he said.
"We should be proud of our justice system.
"There is no question you would get a fair trial in Queensland, and there is no question that judges are able to properly advise juries in terms of their responsibilities and that juries understand that advice.``
Dr Patel, a US citizen, is wanted in Queensland on 14 charges related to his time as a surgeon at the Bundaberg Base Hospital between 2003 and 2005.
Dr Patel is accused of three counts of manslaughter related to alleged botched operations on patients at the Bundaberg hospital.
Last month, US District Court judge Dennis Hubel set a deadline of July 21 for Dr Patel to be handed over to Australian authorities.
Mr Atkinson said Dr Patel would be officially in Queensland Police custody when US police processes were complete.
