Former U.S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Duggan might be extradited from Australia to america over allegations that he illegally educated Chinese language aviators. Australia’s Legal professional Common Mark Dreyfus authorized the extradition Monday, ending the Boston-born 55-year-old’s practically two-year try and keep away from being returned to the U.S.
Duggan, who served within the Marines for 12 years earlier than immigrating to Australia and giving up his U.S. citizenship, has been in a maximum-security jail since he was arrested in 2022 at his household dwelling within the state of New South Wales. He’s the daddy of six youngsters.
Dreyfus confirmed in a press release on Monday he had authorized the extradition however didn’t say when Duggan can be transferred to the U.S.
Former U.S. Marines Corp pilot Daniel Duggan, who’s dealing with extradition to america for allegedly breaking U.S. arms management legislation after he educated Chinese language pilots, poses for an image on this undated handout image.
Warwick Ponder/Handout by way of REUTERS
“Duggan was given the opportunity to provide representations as to why he should not be surrendered to the United States. In arriving at my decision, I took into consideration all material in front of me,” Dreyfus mentioned within the assertion.
In Might, a Sydney choose dominated Duggan may very well be extradited to the U.S., leaving an attraction to the lawyer common as Duggan’s final hope of remaining in Australia.In a 2016 indictment from the U.S. District Court docket in Washington, D.C., unsealed in late 2022, prosecutors mentioned Duggan conspired with others to offer coaching to Chinese language navy pilots in 2010 and 2012, and presumably at different instances, with out making use of for an applicable license.
Prosecutors say he obtained funds totaling across the equal of $61,000 and worldwide journey from one other conspirator for what was typically described as “personal development training.”
If convicted, Duggan faces as much as 60 years in jail.
He denies the allegations.”We really feel deserted by the Australian authorities and deeply dissatisfied that they’ve fully failed of their obligation to guard an Australian household,” his spouse, Saffrine Duggan, mentioned in a press release on Monday. “We are now considering our options.”