Arrests over Ghosn escape

A former special forces soldier and his son have been arrested in the US for allegedly helping former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn flee Japan last December.

Former US Green Beret Michael Taylor, 59, and his son, Peter Taylor, 27, were detained in Massachusetts on May 20. 

It comes after warrants for their arrests were issued in January by Japanese prosecutors, who claim the pair helped Ghosn flee to Lebanon via Turkey.

Ghosn, pictured, was detained in Japan on charges of financial misconduct in 2018 but made a dramatic escape from house arrest on December 29 last year. He denies the charges against him.

Japan has also issued an arrest warrant for George-Antoine Zayek in connection with facilitating the escape, reports Reuters.

Prosecutors claim Peter Taylor travelled to Japan the day before Ghosn fled the country and Michael Taylor and Zayek arrived the following day with large boxes that appeared to be for music equipment.

It is alleged the trio met with Ghosn at a hotel, with the former Nissan boss hiding in one of the boxes before it was taken to an airport and loaded on a private jet bound for Turkey.

Ghosn two days later announced he was in his childhood home of Lebanon.

Following their arrest, the Taylors appeared before a US federal judge by video, and they remain detained as prosecutors say the pair pose a risk of flight. 

Prosecutors in Turkey have already charged seven people – four pilots, two flight attendants and an airline executive – over Ghosn’s escape.