Australia’s Attorney General confirmed on Monday that a former US Marine accused of training Chinese military pilots will be extradited to face charges in the United States. This decision dealt a blow to supporters who have been campaigning for his freedom. Daniel Duggan, an Australian citizen, was arrested in New South Wales in 2022 based on a 2017 US grand jury indictment. The indictment alleges that he trained Chinese military pilots, violating a US arms embargo. Duggan denies the charges, stating that he was training civilian pilots during China’s aviation growth and that US officials were aware of his activities.
Attorney General Mark Dreyfus confirmed the decision for Duggan’s extradition. Dreyfus stated that Duggan had the opportunity to present his case against surrendering to the US, and after considering all evidence, the decision was made to extradite him. Duggan’s extradition was approved by a magistrate in May.
In response to the decision, Duggan’s wife expressed shock and heartbreak, criticizing the government for what she called a callous and unjust move just before Christmas. She stated that they felt abandoned by the Australian government and were exploring their options.
Duggan has been in custody since his arrest in October 2022, following his return from working in China for six years. The indictment against him alleges that he conspired to export defense services to China in violation of an arms embargo. Duggan’s legal team argued that he had become a political scapegoat in the midst of US-China tensions.
If convicted, Duggan could face up to 65 years in prison.
“Moral and foreign policy failure by Australia,” he wrote. Duggan’s arrest two years ago came as the US, the United Kingdom, and Australia formed a stronger security bond under AUKUS, a deal they signed in 2021 to join forces in the Pacific to counter an increasingly assertive China. Since then, the UK and Australia have tightened their laws surrounding former military personnel and their post-service activities.
