A US Court has ruled that former US Special Forces member Michael Taylor and his son Peter Taylor can be extradited to Japan to face charges in connection with the escape of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn from house arrest in Japan on 29 December 2019.
The pair were first arrested on 20 May on an informal request from Japan. A formal extradition request was received by the US Department of State on 2 July 2020. They are alleged to have smuggled Mr Ghosn out of Japan by private jet, concealed in a box for a musical instrument.
Lawyers for the pair argued that the Japanese request should be refused as the offence for which the Taylors were sought, aiding “bail jumping”, is not an extraditable offence. The US court considered that a Japanese court would be best placed to determine questions on Japanese law.
The final decision as to whether to order the Taylors extradition will be taken by the US Department of State but this latest court ruling has removed a significant legal barrier to extradition.
Categories: Japan, United States
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