Darko ‘Dougie’ Desic – fugitive turned Sydney identity – granted permanent visa

The 65-year-old made headlines by handing himself after 29 years on the run. But supporters are celebrating after he won the right to stay in his adopted homeland

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Darko “Dougie” Desic – once fugitive turned handyman turned Sydney local identity – has been released from immigration detention and granted a permanent visa to live in Australia.

And for the first time in decades, he now has a Medicare card, along with the right to stay in his adopted homeland.