Accused people smuggler denied leave to appeal extradition

Maythem Radhi is wanted by Australian authorities. Photo / 60 Minutes, Ch. 9 Australia

An alleged people smuggler facing extradition from New Zealand has been denied leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Maythem Kamil Radhi is accused of playing a part in a people smuggling journey in which 353 people died when their boat sank off Indonesia.

The operation in 2001 ended with the sinking of the boatload of asylum seekers who were trying to get to Australia.

The Iraqi refugee has lived in Auckland with his family since March 2009, but is wanted in Australia for his alleged role in the 2001 Siev (Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel) X disaster.

Australian authorities want Radhi extradited, a move supported by New Zealand police.

In 2012, the Manukau District Court found Radhi was eligible to be surrendered to Australia.

However, the decision was overturned at the High Court because Radhi's charges were not seen to have met the threshold for extradition.

Police then appealed against the High Court's decision at the Court of Appeal, which in July ordered the case to return to the District Court and ordered a warrant for Radhi's arrest.

In a judgement, delivered today, Supreme Court judges Justice John McGrath, Justice William Young and Justice Terence Arnold declined Radhi's application for leave to appeal.

"We do not consider that the interests of justice require that we hear and determine the proposed appeal."