Indonesia to extradite accused smuggler

4 Sep 2012, 9:44 pm   -   Source: AAP
Indonesia has agreed to extradite people-smuggling kingpin Sayed Abbas to Australia. (AAP)

Indonesia has agreed to extradite people-smuggling kingpin Sayed Abbas to Australia. (AAP)

Indonesia has given assurances that an alleged people-smuggling kingpin will be extradited to Australia as soon as he completes his current sentence.

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Indonesia has given assurances that an alleged people-smuggling kingpin will be extradited to Australia as soon as he completes his current sentence.

The extradition of Sayed Abbas, who is suspected of having sent dozens of asylum seeker boats to Christmas Island, was first approved in 2011.

But the delivery of the Afghan to face justice in Australia has been plagued by setbacks.

After he was initially arrested in Indonesia in May 2010, Abbas was released on bail in 2011 and then rearrested the same year.

It is alleged he has continued to send boats to Australia, including a vessel that sank off Java on December 17 last year, killing up to 200 people.

Indonesian Justice Minister Amir Syamsuddin confirmed on Tuesday Abbas would be extradited next year, as soon as he completed a jail sentence for immigration offences.

The development in the long-running case was confirmed following a meeting in Jakarta between Mr Syamsuddin and Australian Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare.

"We discussed several issues, especially about human trafficking, which has been a big problem lately," Mr Syamsuddin said after the meeting.

Mr Clare later said the assurances given by the Indonesian justice minister were welcome.

"Australia stands firm on its intention to apply to extradite Sayed Abbas to Australia at the conclusion of his sentence," he said.

The two ministers also discussed the possibility of establishing a joint task force to further boost co-operation on people smuggling.

However, Mr Syamsuddin said Abbas was only one player in a much bigger problem.

"This is a huge business network, and the people wanting to go to Australia always exist."

He said it was also hoped Australia would continue to assist in the extradition of former banker Adrian Kiki Ariawan, who is in custody in Western Australia.

The former Bank Surya chief has been convicted in absentia and sentenced to life in jail for corruption, embezzlement and fraud involving about $A200 million.

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