Americans accused in ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn’s escape can be extradited to Japan, judge rules
- Michael Taylor and his son, Peter Taylor, are wanted by Japan for smuggling Ghosn out of the country in a box while he was out on bail
- Prosecutors said the men received more than U$1.3 million from the former Nissan chairman and his family members for their services
US Magistrate Judge Donald Cabell in Boston rejected the arguments against extradition by US Army Special Forces veteran Michael Taylor and his son, Peter Taylor, and certified the case for the US secretary of state to evaluate.
The Taylors’ lawyers had argued they could not be extradited because Japanese penal code does not make it a crime to help someone “bail jump”, and that they could only be charged if Japanese authorities were already pursuing Ghosn pre-escape.
But Cabell rejected that argument, saying their conduct “literally brings them squarely within the purview” of the law, which makes it a crime to harbour or enable the escape of someone like Ghosn who has committed a crime.
A lawyer for the men said their defence team had hoped the court would not have just deferred to Japan’s extradition request and said they looked forward to presenting their arguments to officials at the State Department.
“The issues essential to the future of the Taylors will now be addressed by the State Department, which, unlike the court, can take into consideration Japan’s frequent refusal to extradite its own citizens in serious matters, the lack of precedent in Japan for ever charging ‘bail jumping,’ and the dreadful prison and prosecutorial conditions in Japan which have drawn the scorn of the world,” their lawyer, Paul Kelly, said in a statement.
“Moreover, the State Department can consider the heroism and courage of Michael Taylor who has rescued kidnapped American children abroad and who has worked with US law enforcement and intelligence at great risk achieving stunning well documented victories over criminals and terrorists. Grateful mothers and law enforcement veterans will be heard.”
US says Ghosn’s son sent US$500,000 in cryptocurrency for Japan escape
Ghosn fled on December 29, 2019, while awaiting trial on charges that he engaged in financial wrongdoing, including understating his compensation in Nissan’s financial statements. Ghosn denies wrongdoing.
Prosecutors said both the elder Taylor, a private security specialist, and his son received more than U$1.3 million from Ghosn and his family members for their services.
Both the elder Taylor and his son were arrested in May at Japan’s request and have been held without bail since then.
