The extradition of former U.S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Duggan has been ruled by a Sydney judge, leaving the attorney-general as his last hope of remaining in Australia. Despite his lawyers stating they have no legal grounds to challenge the ruling, they plan to make submissions to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus on why Duggan should not be surrendered. Duggan’s wife, Saffrine Duggan, pleaded for the attorney-general to reconsider the case and bring her husband home, describing the extradition court hearing as simply about ticking boxes.
Duggan has been in maximum-security prison for 19 months since his arrest in 2022 in New South Wales. The allegations against him stem from a 2016 indictment from the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., which claims he conspired to provide training to Chinese military pilots in 2010 and 2012 without the appropriate license. Prosecutors allege Duggan received payments totaling around 88,000 Australian dollars and international travel for this training, described as “personal development training.” Duggan, who served in the U.S. Marines for 12 years before immigrating to Australia in 2002, has denied the allegations, stating they are politically motivated by the U.S.
Despite gaining Australian citizenship in January 2012 and giving up his U.S. citizenship, Duggan’s legal troubles have continued. The indictment also accuses him of traveling to the United States, China, and South Africa to provide training to Chinese pilots in South Africa. Duggan maintains his innocence, claiming he is being unfairly targeted by the U.S. government for political reasons. The extradition ruling has raised concerns among Duggan’s supporters and family, who believe he should not be sent to face trial in the United States.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus’ office declined to comment on the extradition matter, stating that the government does not typically discuss such cases. Duggan’s legal team is now focused on making their case to the attorney-general in hopes of preventing his extradition to the United States. While the extradition process moves forward, Duggan’s family and supporters are hopeful that the attorney-general will review the case and consider the impact it will have on his wife and six children. The outcome of this legal battle will ultimately determine Daniel Duggan’s fate and whether he will have to face the allegations against him in U.S. court.
