Sydney, Nov.3 : Former patients of Dr Jayant Patel alias Dr. Death are disappointed but not surprised by revelations that he will contest moves to extradite him from the US to Australia.

Dr Vijay Mehta, a senior Texas-based surgeon and friend of Dr Patel, confirmed in the United States today that Patel was preparing for a long court battle over his extradition.

Dr Patel, who fled Australia for his home in Portland, Oregon in 2005, has been linked to the deaths of 17 patients during his time as director of surgery at Bundaberg Hospital in south-east Queensland.

He is wanted in Australia on charges of manslaughter, grievous bodily harm, negligence and fraud.

Bundaberg Hospital Patients Support Group spokeswoman Beryl Crosby said they had been prepared for such news.

"We knew he would fight it. It is disappointing because it just means that it will be a longer length of time before he is brought back to justice. But we were all prepared for that, we have talked about it many times within the group, about the fact he has all these appeal processes in the States to go through,'' news.com.au quoted Crosby, as saying.

Defending Australia's justice system, Crosby said it was insulting that Dr Patel did not believe he would get a fair trial here.

"To say that he wouldn't get a fair trial makes a mockery of the Australian people. That is like saying they can't find 12 credible people to put on the jury - that is a bit insulting," she added.

Ms Crosby said the nickname  "Dr Death'' was first coined by Dr Patel's colleagues at the hospital and not by his former patients or the media.

Formal extradition proceedings have begun in the US. It is expected Dr Patel will be arrested by US Marshalls once the final paperwork is completed between Australian and US authorities. The arrest could come before Christmas.

If Dr Patel is arrested and fights extradition, he could be housed in a US jail until his case is dealt with by American courts. (ANI)