JAKARTA ~ The authorities extradited an alleged people smuggling kingpin to Australia on Tuesday to face multiple charges of human trafficking, police said.

Indonesian police arrested Hadi Ahmadi at Australia’s request on June 29 last year for allegedly smuggling scores of illegal migrants to Australia between 1999 and 2001.

“Hadi was extradited at 10:00am today,” Jakarta Police spokesman Chrysnanda Dwilaksana said.

Hadi, who is believed to be of either Iraqi or Iranian nationality, reportedly protested his innocence as he was led through an airport outside Jakarta in the company of Australian and Indonesian police.

“This is not fair. I am my country’s political victim. I’m a victim!” he was quoted as saying by local media.

Indonesia is a major transit route for illegal migrants and asylum seekers trying to reach a better life in Australia but Ahmadi is the first alleged trafficker to be extradited from Indonesia to Australia.