"Ex-Marine Defies US, Fights Extradition for Training Chinese Pilots in Australia"

Former US Marine Fights Extradition from Australia over Alleged Chinese Pilot Training A former US Marine Corps pilot, Daniel Duggan, is fighting extradition from Australia to the United States over allegations that he illegally trained Chinese military aviators more than a decade ago. According to court documents, Duggan worked as an instructor for the Test Flying Academy of South Africa in 2012 and allegedly trained Chinese military pilots without proper licensing. Duggan appeared at a court in Canberra on Thursday to file an appeal against his extradition, which is pending a verdict. The indictment, unsealed in 2022, claims Duggan conspired with others and received payments for his services. A one-day hearing has taken place in Canberra, with a verdict still pending. The allegations against Duggan date back to 2012 when he was working as an instructor for the Test Flying Academy of South Africa. According to the indictment, Duggan trained Chinese military pilots at the academy's base in South Africa. The indictment also claims that Duggan received payments from his co-conspirators for his services. Duggan's lawyer has argued that his client is innocent and that the extradition proceedings are politically motivated. "My client is a respected member of the aviation community, and he has done nothing wrong," said Duggan's lawyer in a statement to NPR News. "We will continue to fight this extradition and clear my client's name." The case has sparked concerns about the potential implications for international relations between the US and China. According to experts, if Duggan is extradited to the US, it could set a precedent for future cases involving alleged espionage or unauthorized training of foreign military personnel. The current status of the case remains uncertain, with a verdict pending on Duggan's appeal against extradition. The outcome will likely have significant implications for Duggan and his family, as well as for international relations between the US and China. In related news, Saffrine Duggan, Daniel's wife, has spoken out about the allegations against her husband. "I'm confident that my husband is innocent," she said in a statement to NPR News. "We will continue to fight this extradition and clear his name." The case highlights the complexities of international relations and the potential consequences of alleged espionage or unauthorized training of foreign military personnel. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the US and China will respond to the allegations against Duggan. Sources: - The Associated Press - NPR News - Breaking: NPR News This story was compiled from reports by NPR Politics, NPR News and BREAKING: NPR News.