Judge rules Ghosn’s accused helpers can be extradited

A judge in the United States has ruled two men can be extradited to Japan to face charges they helped former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn flee the country on a private jet.

US Magistrate Judge Donald Cabell rejected arguments against extradition by US Army Special Forces veteran Michael Taylor and his son, Peter Taylor.

The decision in Boston on September 4 means the US State Department can consider turning the accused pair over to authorities in Japan, reports Reuters.

Prosecutors claim the Taylors helped Ghosn’s escape from house arrest in Japan on December 29, 2019. 

Ghosn, pictured, was awaiting trial on financial crimes, including by understating his compensation in Nissan’s financial statements. He denies any wrongdoing and turned fugitive after allegedly fleeing the country hidden in a box and on private jet. 

He flew via Turkey to Lebanon, his childhood home, which has no extradition treaty with Japan.

The Taylors, who prosecutors say received US$1.3 million (NZ$1.9m) for helping Ghosn, have been held without bail since their arrests in Massachusetts in May at Japan’s request.

Paul Kelly, the Taylors’ lawyer, says they will present issues to the State Department that Cabell could not consider, including and Japan’s “frequent refusal” to extradite its own citizens.