A supporter of an Australian citizen facing extradition to the US on conspiracy charges has called for his release from prison in an emotional speech to parliament.
Former marine Daniel Duggan was arrested in October 2022 after the US government accused him of money laundering and committing offences under US arms export control laws.
The father of six, who has also been accused of providing military training to Chinese pilots while a US citizen, has denied the charges.
Mr Duggan's wife Saffrine and his friend Warwick Ponder were on the floor of the Senate on Thursday during a speech by the Greens' David Shoebridge urging the US to release him from custody, where he has been in solitary confinement.
"In the last few weeks, he's seen the sky only a handful of times but has otherwise been locked up completely alone. There are grave concerns with Dan's wellbeing," Senator Shoebridge told parliament.
"How can he be extradited for something that isn't even an offence in Australia and therefore fails the dual criminality test?"
Senator Shoebridge said Mr Duggan's arrest and threat of extradition raised serious concerns.
"There are big red flags around Dan's prosecution by the US. The timing of the indictment by US authorities in 2017 was exactly when the United States started talking about China as a strategic challenge," he said.
"It's clear to many this is a politicised extradition and prosecution, with the dual aims of making an example of China and Australia placating our AUKUS allies."
