This undated combination of photos courtesy Rudy Michael Taylor shows his father, former US special forces member Michael Taylor and his brother Peter, posing together years apart. A US father-son pair accused of helping former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn in his audacious escape from Japan arrived in Tokyo on March 2, 2021 after losing their battle against extradition. (FAMILY HANDOUT / AFP)
TOKYO – Americans Michael Taylor and his son Peter could face jail terms of up to three years after Tokyo prosecutors charged them on Monday with illegally helping former Nissan Motor Co Ltd Chairman Carlos Ghosn flee Japan more than a year ago.
Extradited by US authorities this month, the US Army Special Forces veteran and his son have been detained in the same prison in the Japanese capital where Ghosn was held.
In a statement, the Tokyo prosecutors’ office said the men knowingly helped Ghosn evade punishment and escape to Lebanon by hiding him in carry-on luggage aboard a private jet that departed from western Japan’s Kansai airport in Dec 2019.
The Tokyo prosecutors said Michael Taylor, a 60-year-old private security specialist, and his 28-year-old son received US$1.3 million for their services to illegally help former Nissan Motor Co Ltd Chairman Carlos Ghosn flee Japan
The prosecutors did not say when they expect the trial to start. Japan’s conviction rate is 99 percent.
Ghosn remains a fugitive in his childhood home, Lebanon, which has no extradition treaty with Japan.
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Japanese law does not allow suspects to have their lawyers present during questioning by prosecutors. Once charged, defendants are often refused bail by courts before trial.
Lawyers for the Taylors had waged a months-long battle to keep them from being sent to Japan, arguing they could not be prosecuted for helping someone to jump bail.
They also said they faced the prospect of relentless interrogation and torture.
The US State Department rejected the torture claim as unlikely, and the US Supreme Court last month cleared the way for their extradition.
Prosecutors said Michael Taylor, a 60-year-old private security specialist, and his 28-year-old son received US$1.3 million for their services.
At the time of his escape, Ghosn was awaiting trial on charges of financial wrongdoing charges, including understating his compensation in Nissan’s financial statements and enriching himself at his employer’s expense through payments to car dealerships.
Ghosn denies wrongdoing.
READ MORE: US top court clears way for Ghosn's accused escape plotters extradition
Greg Kelly, a former Nissan executive, is standing trial in Tokyo charged with helping Ghosn hide 9.3 billion yen (US$85 million) in income.