Former US military pilot fights to stay out of Australian supermax jail

A former US military pilot who was arrested in Australia after returning from China will appear before court later this month as he attempts to block plans to transfer him to Goulburn Supermax.

Former US military pilot Daniel Duggan, an Australian citizen and father of six, has been in custody since he was arrested on October 21.

A former US military pilot who was arrested in Australia after ­returning from China will ­appear in court later this month as he attempts to block plans to transfer him to Goulburn’s ­supermax prison.

Australian Daniel ­Duggan, a former US citizen who lives in the NSW Central Tablelands, was arrested last month by Australian Federal Police officers soon after he ­arrived home from business in China, and remains in custody.

The 54-year-old appeared ­before ­Orange Local Court on the day of his arrest, but the precise allegations against him ­remain unclear ­because he was secretly indicted by a US grand jury, which is not required to provide any information until a formal extradition request is submitted to Australian authorities.

The details of the US arrest warrant and the particular charges he faces remain sealed.

Mr Duggan, who moved to Australia after a decade in the US military, formerly operated a scenic flights business in Hobart called Top Gun Tasmania, where he hired former US and British military pilots to offer rides in fighter jets.

The father of six moved to Beijing in 2014 and later sold his Hobart-based business.

The Australian understands Mr Duggan has been working in Qingdao, China, since 2017 as the managing director of an ­aviation consultancy.

His arrest came days after Australian authorities said they were investigating former military personnel being offered ­lucrative contracts to train pilots in China.

His legal team, which ­appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre on Friday, told the court Mr Duggan will urge the Inspector-General of Intelligence to ­investigate the case.

Lawyer Dennis Miralis, who is representing the former US military pilot, maintains his ­client has not broken any law in Australia, China or the US, ­suggesting Mr Duggan will ­potentially apply for bail ­pending the outcome of the ­request.

Defence lawyer Dennis Miralis.

He told reporters his client was advised he will be moved to Goulburn’s supermax jail, a move that will be challenged in court.

Mr Miralis, who specialises in international extradition law, said his complaint will raise concerns about the conduct of ­multiple state groups, including China.

The AFP said it was unable to comment on the case.