Alleged Siev X people smuggler loses legal battle

A man wanted on people smuggling charges in Australia over the drowning at sea of more than 350 asylum seekers has lost his bid to stop his extradition from New Zealand.

Iraqi-born Maythem Kamil Radhi is alleged to be one of three organisers behind Siev X, a small boat that sank off Indonesia while bound for Australia in October 2001.

Radhi - who was granted UN refugee status before the sinking - has lived in New Zealand since 2009.