Japanese officials on Thursday released arrest warrants for a former U.S. special forces soldier and two other individuals on suspicion of helping former Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn escape from Japan to Lebanon.
Warrants were issued for former U.S. Green Beret Michael Taylor and two individuals named George-Antoine Zayek and Peter Taylor, prosecutors stated. A warrant was also issued for Ghosn for illegally fleeing from the country, prosecutors added.
Ghosn fled to Lebanon, his childhood home, before the end of last year, while he was awaiting trial on charges of under-reporting income, breach of trust and misappropriation of company funds. Ghosn has denied all of these charges.
The arrest warrants come days following investigation by prosecutors at the Tokyo office of Ghosn’s former lawyer.
Lebanon and Japan have about 40 days to make a decision about Ghosn, whether he will be extradited to Japan or stand trial in Lebanon.
The two countries lack any extradition treaty and Lebanon does not generally hand over its nationals. Ghosn’s legal team is hoping to hold the trial in Lebanon.
