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13h ago

Daniel Duggan Challenges U.S. Extradition in Canberra Court

The appeal centers on whether Australian law covered the alleged conduct at the time, testing the treaty’s dual‑criminality requirement.

FILE -Saffrine Duggan speaks outside Downing Central Court in Sydney, May 24, 2024, where her husband Daniel was scheduled to appear. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)

Overview

  • Duggan appeared in person at the Federal Court in Canberra as a one‑day hearing opened on his bid to block extradition to the United States.
  • His barrister, Christopher Parkin, argued the alleged conduct was not an offence under Australian law when it occurred or when the request was made, so dual criminality is not met.
  • The defense said there is no evidence the trainees were military personnel and noted Duggan’s U.S. citizenship renunciation was later backdated to 2012.
  • A U.S. indictment unsealed in 2022 alleges Duggan trained Chinese pilots and provided services related to carrier operations, including payments totaling about AU$88,000 and funded travel.
  • Australia’s then attorney‑general approved extradition in December 2024, the government is expected to oppose the appeal, and Justice James Stellios will deliver a decision at a later date.