Former US Marine Pilot Loses Extradition Appeal in Australia

US authorities allege that Daniel Duggan, 57, did not seek permission from the US government to provide military training to Chinese forces. He was arrested in October 2022 in Orange, New South Wales, at the request of the United States. Duggan, who has renounced his US citizenship, maintains his innocence regarding the charges.

His lawyer had argued that Australia should oppose the extradition because it lacked an equivalent law covering the specific US charges, a requirement for extradition requests. However, Australia's Attorney General approved the extradition in 2024. The Federal Court judge dismissed Duggan's appeal on Thursday, also ordering him to pay the government's costs.

Outside court, Duggan's wife expressed disappointment with the decision and urged the Australian government to intervene. She stated that the years-long legal battle has caused significant trauma and cost the family approximately half a million dollars, exacerbated by an injunction preventing them from selling their home.