<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>335811</docID> <postdate>2024-12-23 14:47:20</postdate> <headline>Australia approves ex-fighter pilot’s extradition to US</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-335812" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/daniel-duggan.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="600" /></p> <caption>Daniel Duggan, pictured with wife Saffrine and daughter Molly, will be extradited to the US. Photo: Duggan family</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Luke Costin</strong> and <strong>Jacob Shteyman</strong></span></p> <p><strong>An Australian father who served as a US fighter pilot is set to face court in the US after his extradition was approved by federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.</strong></p> <p>Daniel Duggan, 56, has already spent two years behind bars over allegations he unlawfully trained Chinese military personnel.</p> <p>The father of six made a last-ditch attempt to avoid prosecution in the US, sending an 89-page submission to Mr Dreyfus after a NSW magistrate ruled in May he was eligible for extradition.</p> <p>But on Monday, Mr Dreyfus confirmed he had given Duggan's extradition the green light.</p> <p>Duggan's children were "very sad" about the decision, the family said.</p> <p>"We feel abandoned by the Australian government and deeply disappointed that they have completely failed in their duty to protect an Australian family," wife Saffrine Duggan said in a statement.</p> <p>"We are now considering our options.</p> <p>"It is very difficult to explain to the children why this is happening to their father, especially now, at this time of year."</p> <p>Mr Dreyfus confirmed the extradition had been approved but would not reveal when Duggan would be transferred to the US, citing a longstanding practice of the government not commenting on operational matters relating to extradition.</p> <p>"Acknowledging the public interest in this matter, I confirm that on 19 December 2024 I determined under section 22 of the <em>Extradition Act 1988 (Cth)</em> that Daniel Duggan should be extradited to the United States to face prosecution for the offences of which he is accused," he said in a statement.</p> <p>"Mr Duggan was given the opportunity to provide representations as to why he should not be surrendered to the United States.</p> <p>"In arriving at my decision, I took into consideration all material in front of me."</p> <p>Duggan was arrested in Australia in October 2022 at the behest of the US after being accused of breaching arms-trafficking laws by providing military training to Chinese pilots in South Africa between 2010 and 2012.</p> <p>He allegedly received about $100,000 for his services.</p> <p>If convicted in the US, Duggan faces up to 60 years in prison.</p> <p>Australia does not have equivalent laws.</p> </body>