<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A former </span><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/USA" rel="" target="" title="US"><span>US</span></a><span> fighter pilot accused of training </span><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/china" rel="" target="" title="Chinese"><span>Chinese</span></a><span> soldiers is set to be extradited from Australia after his appeal was dismissed after a years-long legal battle.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Daniel Duggan has spent three-and-a-half years in custody over allegations he breached US arms-trafficking laws by training Chinese pilots in South Africa between 2010 and 2012.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was arrested at the behest of the US in 2022 while at a supermarket in regional </span><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="" title="NSW"><span>NSW</span></a><span>, where he lived with his wife Saffrine and six children.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>FUEL CRISIS:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/geelong-oil-refinery-fire-corio-blaze-triggers-warning-for-residents-to-stay-inside/c9009c7c-4cf1-4674-86b3-02481b25154e" rel="" target="" title="'Explosions' before fire tore through Geelong oil refinery"><strong><span>'Explosions' before fire tore through Geelong oil refinery</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Duggan family's years-long fight against extradition was dealt a heavy blow in December 2024 when then-attorney general Mark Dreyfus approved the extradition.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They challenged the decision in the Federal </span><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/courts" rel="" target="" title="Court"><span>Court</span></a><span>, which handed down its ruling today in the nation's capital.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Justice James Stellios dismissed the appeal and ordered Duggan to pay the government's costs in a brief but bruising decision.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/daniel-duggan-extop-gun-pilot-loses-appeal-against-extradition-courts-news-national-usa/4fd771e0-e230-4e30-8180-3fcb1dbe3815" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An appeal against the judge's ruling can be lodged within 28 days.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Duggan's lawyers argued the offence he is accused of was not classified as an offence in Australia at the time, which is contrary to the requirements of an extradition treaty.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/anzac-day-public-holiday-2026-state-by-state-guide-explained/97d7f484-4921-4304-b0f8-695592f7fefe"><strong><span>Anzac Day is almost here, but not everyone gets a long weekend</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An offence must have been criminal in both the requesting and requested countries for an extradition to be legally permissible.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ms Duggan gathered with supporters to hear the decision being handed down.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She has been open about the crippling financial toll the legal battle has taken on her family, who estimate their legal bills amount to about half a million dollars.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Duggan has been refused Legal Aid, while an injunction placed on his family's half-built house means they can neither sell it nor live in it.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He had been kept in a maximum security prison in central NSW around 100km from his family, Ms Duggan previously revealed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Charges and an indictment were first filed against the Australian citizen in a sealed court case during US President </span><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/donald-trump" rel="" target="" title="Donald Trump"><span>Donald Trump</span></a><span>'s first term.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Duggan previously wrote in a letter from prison that he believed his activities were not illegal and Australian and US intelligence services knew of his work.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a 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