Ghosn accomplices extradited to Japan

Michael and Peter Taylor, the American father and son duo accused of assisting former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn to escape from Japanese police custody in December 2019 have landed in Japan after their last-ditch attempt to resist extradition was refused by the US Supreme Court last month.

Japanese prosecutors released a statement confirming the Taylors’ arrival at Narita International Airport on 02 March 2021. They face possible charges of harbouring or enabling the escape of a prisoner and, on conviction, could face a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment.

Securing the Taylors’ extradition is a much needed win for the Japanese authorities, for whom the story of Mr Ghosn’s dramatic escape has become a source of embarrassment. Mr Ghosn, who was due to face trial in Japan on a number of charges of financial misconduct, including allegations that he had under-reported his salary over five years, remains beyond the reach of the Japanese criminal justice system. He is currently residing in Lebanon which does not have an extradition treaty with Japan.

Following his escape, Mr Ghosn was critical of the “rigged” case against him and what he termed a “hostage justice system”. It has been reported that the Taylors can be held without charge by the Japanese authorities for up to three weeks, during which time they can be questioned without any right to have a lawyer present.