Former US Marine Loses Extradition Appeal Over Chinese Pilot Training Allegations
An Australian judge has dismissed an appeal by Daniel Duggan, a former US Marine Corps pilot, who is fighting extradition to the United States over allegations he illegally trained Chinese military aviators more than a decade ago. The ruling represents a significant setback for Duggan, who has been held in maximum security prisons since his arrest in 2022.
Court Rules No Error in Extradition Order
Federal Court Justice James Stellios ruled that no jurisdictional error was made in 2024 by then Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus when ordering Duggan's extradition. The decision upholds the original extradition order, moving Duggan one step closer to facing charges in the United States.
Mr Duggan is accused of training Chinese military pilots while working for the Test Flying Academy of South Africa. He has consistently denied the allegations, calling them "political posturing" and claiming the United States has unfairly singled him out for prosecution.
Family Vows to Continue Legal Battle
Outside the Canberra court, Duggan's wife, Saffrine Duggan, a mother of six, said his legal team would consider a further appeal. They are also urging the current Attorney-General, Michelle Rowland, to reverse the extradition order that could see Duggan sent to the United States.
"We are very disappointed by this ruling and we will consider our options carefully. But make no mistake, we will not give up," Saffrine Duggan told reporters. "Today does not end our search for justice."
Rowland's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the case or whether she would consider intervening in the extradition process.
Details of the Allegations
A 2016 indictment from the U.S. District Court in Washington, which was unsealed in late 2022, alleges Duggan conspired with others to provide training to Chinese military pilots in 2010 and 2012, and possibly at other times, without applying for an appropriate license.
Prosecutors allege Duggan received approximately nine payments totaling around 88,000 Australian dollars (approximately $61,000) from another conspirator, as well as travel to the United States, South Africa and China for what was sometimes described as "personal development training."
Background and Current Situation
Duggan, who is 57 years old and was born in Boston, has been held in maximum security prisons since he was arrested in 2022 at a supermarket near his family home in New South Wales. The case has drawn international attention due to its implications for military training regulations and international relations between Western nations and China.
The allegations center on activities that allegedly occurred more than a decade ago, with prosecutors claiming Duggan provided specialized aviation training to Chinese military personnel without proper authorization. The case highlights ongoing concerns about technology transfer and military expertise sharing between nations with competing strategic interests.
