Washington (AFP)

Two Americans, suspected of having helped Carlos Ghosn to flee Japan in December, were arrested on Wednesday in the United States and must appear in the afternoon before a judge, we learned from a judicial source.

Michael Taylor, 59, a former US Special Forces member converted to private security, and his son Peter Taylor, 26, both subject to an arrest warrant from Japan, are scheduled to appear by videoconference at 7:30 p.m. GMT before a judge Massachusetts federal government.

They pose a "great risk of flight" and must remain in detention pending the request for extradition from Japan, federal prosecutors estimated in court documents.

Peter Taylor was arrested in Boston as he was preparing to leave for Lebanon, where the former boss of the Renault-Nissan alliance took refuge, and who has no extradition treaty with the Japan, they said.

The two men, as well as the Lebanese George-Antoine Zayek, are accused by Japan of having helped the fallen car magnate to escape Japanese justice during a spectacular escape on the evening of December 29.

Affected by complaints of financial embezzlement, Carlos Ghosn was released on bail.

According to American court documents, the three men apparently helped him to hide in a large black case, similar to a case of musical instruments, which they then boarded on a private jet, the baggage screening was not compulsory at the time for this type of aircraft.

© 2020 AFP