The Telegraph
U.S. judge allows extradition of two men accused of aiding Carlos Ghosn’s escape from Japan
A US judge on Thursday rejected an attempt by two men to prevent extradition to Japan for helping former Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn flee the country. The verdict of U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston paved the way for U.S. Army veteran Michael Taylor and his son, Peter Taylor, to be handed over to Japan after the U.S. Department of State approved their extradition. The Taylor’s lawyers argued that they could not be prosecuted in Japan for helping someone ‘jump bail’, and that if they were extradited, they would face relentless interrogations and torture. Ghosn in a court report wanted to support their claim, arguing that in Japan he faced prolonged detention, mental torture and intimidation and that the Taylors would experience ‘similar or worse conditions’. But Talwani said that “although the prison conditions in Japan may be deplorable”, it was not enough to stop extradition and that the authorities confirmed their alleged actions as an “extravagant offense”. Attorneys for the Taylors quickly proceeded to appeal. They did not want to comment, just like Nissan. Ghosn and the Japanese embassy in Washington did not immediately comment. The Taylors were arrested in May at the request of Japan. Ms Talwani thwarted their extradition on October 29 so she could hear the challenge against the Foreign Ministry’s decision. Prosecutors say the Taylors helped Ghosn flee Japan on December 29, 2019, hiding in a box and on a private plane before reaching his orphanage, Lebanon, which has no extradition treaty with Japan. Ghosn is awaiting trial on charges that he has committed financial injustice, including by underestimating his compensation in Nissan’s financial statements. Ghosn denies wrongdoing. Prosecutors say the elder Taylor, a private security specialist, and his son received $ 1.3 million for their services.