US yet to apply for extradition for former ‘Top Gun’ pilot
The clock is ticking for the US to apply to extradite a former pilot who was arrested in Australia soon after he returned from China.
National
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A former US military pilot will complain to the inspector general of intelligence about his treatment following his arrest on his return to Australia from China.
Daniel Edmund Duggan, 54, was taken into custody in Orange, NSW, and faces extradition to the United States after the FBI reportedly sought the ex-fighter pilot for his work in China.
The former US citizen who started Top Gun Australia in Tasmania was arrested at the request of Washington, officials in Canberra said in October, amid reports China has been poaching retired military personnel.
The US has 60 days to make a formal request for his extradition, but is yet to do so.
Duggan’s lawyer, Dennis Miralis, said his client continued to deny he had broken any laws in any country.
“While there is some commentary concerning the nature of the allegations, Mr Duggan’s position is very clear: he denies having breached any US law, any Australian law, any international law. This is a position that he will defend vigorously,” Mr Miralis told Nine.
Mr Miralis told the Downing Centre Local Court court he will ask the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security to investigate his client’s case, and raised the possibility Duggan will apply for bail depending on the result of the Inspector-General’s inquiry.
The complaint will allege “substantial concerns about the conduct of multiple state actors”, including China, and dealings with Australian intelligence agencies after Duggan returned from China, reported Nine.
Mr Miralis said Mr Duggan was told he will be moved to Goulburn Supermax – which he called “aggressive”.
British defence intelligence issued a rare “threat alert” warning China’s was trying to recruit pilots to train its air force.
Defence Minister Richard Marles then announced a probe into whether any Australian pilots had been recruited.
Mr Duggan was arrested two days later on October 21 “pursuant to a request from the United States of America for their provisional arrest”.
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