Accused people smuggler to fight charges

An Afghan man accused of people smuggling, who was extradited from Indonesia to Perth last month, will strenuously fight the charges, his lawyer says.

Ahmad Zia Alizadah, 35, has been in custody for the past two years and is accused of facilitating four illegal boat arrivals involving more than 260 people and payments of up to $US10,000 per person between January 2009 and February 2010.

Lawyer Anthony Ayers told Perth Magistrates Court on Friday that Alizadah, who is being detained at the maximum-security Casuarina Prison because he is considered a strong flight risk, intends to plead not guilty.

Mr Ayers said the case should progress swiftly, given how long his client has been detained.

Alizadah, who appeared in court in person and was assisted by a Farsi interpreter, is next scheduled to face court on October 13 for a committal mention and will be allowed to appear via video link.