SYDNEY, July 18: Thailand extradited a Pakistani national to Australia on Friday to face trial on charges of bringing nearly 400 illegal boat people to the country in 2001, officials said.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Justice Minister Chris Ellison said Hasan Ayub, 33, faced 13 charges under Australia’s Migration Act.

He made an initial appearance in the Magistrate’s Court in the western city of Perth late Friday when the case was adjourned until Aug 15.

The charges relate to Ayub’s alleged involvement in bringing 396 boat people to Australia in March and April 2001, the ministers said in a joint statement.

If convicted, Ayub faces up to 20 year in prison.

Ayub’s arrest in early 2002 followed a lengthy joint investigation by the Australian police and immigration department in conjunction with Thai and overseas law-enforcement agencies, the officials said.

His extradition to Australia follows that of another alleged people smuggler, Ali Al Jenabi, in February.

“The Australian government is committed to taking action against people smugglers wherever possible and will continue to seek their extradition to face justice in Australia,” Downer and Ellison said.

During the brief court on Friday, 13 charges were read to Ayub through an Urdu interpreter.—AFP