An Australian pilot will likely be surrendered to america as early as subsequent week after the federal authorities authorised the extradition of the former US Marine pilot to face expenses over allegedly coaching Chinese language fighter pilots.
Daniel Duggan, who has been in most safety jail in Australia for greater than two years combating his extradition, will likely be handed over to American authorities within the early a part of 2025. In a press release, his household mentioned they have been “devastated” on the determination after the legal professional normal, Mark Dreyfus, on Monday confirmed he had authorised Duggan’s extradition to the US.
“Acknowledging the general public curiosity on this matter, I verify that on 19 December 2024 I made up my mind underneath part 22 of the Extradition Act 1988 (Cth) that Daniel Duggan must be extradited to america to face prosecution for the offences of which he’s accused,” Dreyfus mentioned in a press release.
“Mr Duggan was given the chance to offer representations as to why he shouldn’t be surrendered to america. In arriving at my determination, I took into consideration all materials in entrance of me.”
The US has sought the extradition of Duggan, 55, on expenses of arms trafficking and cash laundering arising from his alleged coaching of Chinese language fighter pilots greater than a decade in the past. The allegations haven’t been examined in court docket.
A US indictment alleges he taught Chinese language fighter pilots to land jets on plane carriers – often called “carrier-arrested landings” – in defiance of arms trafficking legal guidelines. The indictment particulars funds Duggan allegedly acquired in 2011 and 2012 for coaching Chinese language fighter pilots at a check flight academy “based mostly in South Africa, with a presence within the Individuals’s Republic of China”.
The daddy of six – whose kids are aged between six and 18 and are all Australian residents – faces a possible 60-year jail time period if convicted within the US.
“We’re shocked and completely heartbroken by this callous and inhumane determination which has been delivered simply earlier than Christmas with no clarification or justification from the federal government,” Duggan’s spouse, Saffrine, mentioned in a press release.
The household mentioned they acquired a brief letter from the legal professional normal’s division on Friday confirming Dreyfus’ determination, which set out that Duggan could be escorted to the US someday after 30 December and earlier than 17 February.
Duggan’s household mentioned they have been contemplating their authorized choices, “together with requesting particular causes for the federal government’s determination”, which they claimed the letter didn’t tackle.
“We really feel deserted by the Australian authorities and deeply upset that they’ve fully failed of their responsibility to guard an Australian household,” Saffrine mentioned.
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“It is extremely tough to elucidate to the youngsters why that is occurring to their father, particularly now, presently of yr. We’re all terrified that we could not see him for a really very long time. My kids are very, very unhappy.”
The household mentioned Duggan maintained his innocence and denied the allegations made in opposition to him.
Dreyfus famous in his assertion that Duggan was present in Might by a New South Wales Justice of the Peace to be eligible for give up to the US.
“To make sure the protection of all individuals concerned and to uphold the integrity of the give up course of, as a matter of longstanding observe, the Australian authorities doesn’t touch upon operational issues regarding extradition, together with the timing of and particular preparations for an individual’s give up,” the legal professional normal mentioned.
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