Taylors admit helping former Nissan CEO Ghosn escape Japan

An American father and son alleged of orchestrating former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn‘s escape from Japan admitted their role on Monday as they made their first appearance before a Tokyo court.

Former special forces operative Michael Taylor, 60, and his 28-year-old son Peter were extradited by U.S. officials over the request of Japan that they helped Ghosn escape Japan in a box case as he awaited trial.

At the Tokyo district court Monday, both Taylors said they didn’t contest the facts laid out by prosecutors in an indictment, and conceded their role in the scenario.

They face up to three years in prison once convicted of helping Ghosn, who is currently an international fugitive living in Beirut, Lebanon since his escape in December 2019. Lebanon lacks an extradition treaty with Japan.

Ghosn was out on bail while awaiting trial on four counts of misuse of funds when he managed to slip past authorities onto a private jet, transit in Turkey, and then landed in Lebanon.

Ghosn has rejected any allegations of financial misconduct.

The escape was embarrassing for Japanese officials. They have termed it “one of the most brazen and well-orchestrated escape acts in recent history”.