Australian Court Upholds Extradition Order for U.S. Ex-Marine Daniel Duggan

S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Duggan to avoid extradition to the United States. The ruling was made on Thursday, April 13, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. Duggan is accused of illegally training Chinese military aviators more than a decade ago while working as an instructor for the Test Flying Academy of South Africa.

Federal Court Justice James Stellios stated that no jurisdiction error was made in 2024 by then Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus in ordering Duggan's extradition. Saffrine Duggan, Daniel Duggan's wife, expressed disappointment with the ruling and indicated that his legal team would consider a further appeal.

She stated, "We are very disappointed by this ruling and we will consider our options carefully.

U.S. S. claims that Duggan broke arms-trafficking laws by providing military training to Chinese forces without the necessary permissions. He faces up to 65 years in prison if found guilty of the charges against him.

U.S. District Court in Washington, unsealed in late 2022, alleges that Duggan conspired with others to provide training to Chinese military pilots between 2010 and 2012. ' Duggan has 28 days to appeal the Federal Court decision, which also included an order for him to pay the government's costs.

Saffrine Duggan noted that the family has faced significant financial strain due to the ongoing legal battle, costing them about half a million dollars, compounded by an injunction on their home preventing its sale.