US men, who allegedly helped ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn flee Japan, challenge US extradition case

The lawyers of two US men, who are wanted by Japan for helping former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn flee the country, have argued that US authorities wrongly arrested them for aiding a crime that they say does not exist in Japan: bail jumping.

In a motion, lawyers for Michael Taylor and his son, Peter Taylor, asked a federal judge in Boston to quash the US warrants issued last month for their arrests or release them on bail while their extradition case proceeds.

US authorities arrested the Taylors in May, at Japan’s request, for allegedly smuggling Ghosn out of the country in a box while he was out on bail awaiting trial on financial charges.

The lawyers argued on Monday that neither bail jumping nor helping someone do so are crimes in Japan.

The defence lawyers said that the fact is “so far beyond dispute that the Japanese government has begun considering whether it should amend the law to make such conduct a crime”.

While Japan has issued arrest warrants for the Taylors, their lawyers said the crime stated in the Japanese warrants is an immigration offence, a non-extraditable misdemeanour.

Seven people to stand trial over ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn’s escape

The lawyers added that neither Taylor, including Michael, a US Army Special Forces veteran who founded a private security company, pose a flight risk requiring them to be held without bail.

The Justice Department and Japanese embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment.

US authorities arrested the Taylors in Harvard, Massachusetts, on May 20 at the request of Japan, which in January issued arrest warrants for both men in connection with facilitating the December 29, 2019 escape.

Ghosn fled to Lebanon, his childhood home, while he was awaiting trial on charges that he engaged in financial wrongdoing, including by understating his compensation in Nissan’s financial statements. He denies wrongdoing.