Top Gun pilot challenges Attorney-General’s approval of extradition to US

An Australian citizen who served as a US fighter pilot has launched a last-ditch bid to prevent his extradition to the US over claims he illegally trained Chinese pilots.

A former US marine pilot has launched legal proceedings to challenge Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus’ decision to surrender him to US authorities over claims he illegally trained foreign pilots.

Daniel Edmund Duggan, 55, has been in custody since October 2022 following a request from the US to extradite him for charges of conspiracy, arms trafficking and money laundering.

American authorities allege he breached money laundering and arms export control laws while teaching foreign pilots at a flying academy in South Africa more than 12 years ago.

The father of six is also accused of breaching US arms control laws by instructing pilots, including Chinese citizens, on how to land atop an aircraft carrier.

Daniel Duggan is taking Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus to court over the decision to surrender him to the US.

The US authorities allege he was paid more than $110,000 for his expertise, but he had not sought the government’s permission to undertake the role.

Mr Duggan, who has been an Australian citizen for 13 years, has consistently denied the allegations, which have not been tested in court.

After fighting against attempts to extradite Mr Duggan for two years, his family and lawyers were informed on December 20 that he would be surrendered to the US authorities.

On Monday, Mr Duggan’s lawyers lodged legal proceedings in the Federal Court to challenge Mr Dreyfus’ decision to green light the extradition of an Australian citizen.

Mr Duggan’s wife Saffrine said the government had not been clear about the reasons for the determination despite its devastating impact on her family.

“We have been forced to resort to court action because the government has not been transparent about this case despite Dan being locked up in maximum security prison for the past 26 months with no Australian charges,” she said.

“Dan is exercising his rights as an Australian citizen to due process under Australian law. We are an Australian family, and we deserve a fair go.”

A spokesperson for the Attorney-General’s Department confirmed Mr Duggan had filed an application for a judicial review of Mr Dreyfus’ decision to surrender him to the US.

Mr Duggan has six children. Picture: Instagram

He has been in custody since October 2022.

“Mr Duggan remains in extradition custody and will not be surrendered pending the outcome of the court proceeding,” they said.

“As the matter is currently before the Federal Court of Australia, it would not be appropriate to comment further.”

Mr Dreyfus determined on December 19 that Mr Duggan should be extradited to face prosecution for the allegations against him. The Duggan family were informed the next day.

“On 24 May 2024, Mr Duggan was found by a NSW magistrate to be eligible for surrender to the United States,” he said in a statement at the time.

“Mr Duggan was given the opportunity to provide representations as to why he should not be surrendered to the United States.

“In arriving at my decision, I took into consideration all material in front of me.”

Originally published as Top Gun pilot challenges Attorney-General’s approval of extradition to US