Leak of the former Renault boss: three accomplices sentenced to prison in Turkey
To leave Japan, Carlos Ghosn had hidden in a in a voluminous case for musical instrument in which 70 holes had been drilled in order to allow him to breathe.
Kazuhiro NOGI AFP / File
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This Wednesday, February 24, an Istanbul court sentenced three Turkish nationals to prison for helping the former boss of the Renault-Nissan alliance Carlos Ghosn in his incredible flight from Japan to Lebanon in December 2019.
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A senior official of the private jet charter company MNG Jet, Okan Kösemen, and two pilots were sentenced to four years and two months in prison for "smuggling of migrants", according to an AFP journalist in the room. 'hearing.
One of their lawyers told AFP that they would appeal the conviction.
The court also acquitted two other pilots and two flight attendants who were on trial alongside them.
Flight to Turkey, then to Lebanon
Mr. Ghosn, accused in Japan of financial embezzlement, fled the country aboard a private plane belonging to MNG Jet that landed in Istanbul, before going to Lebanon where he found refuge.
The Turkish legal proceedings have shed light on the spectacular conditions of the flight of the deposed tycoon, aged 66, who holds three nationalities (French, Lebanese and Brazilian).
According to investigators, the fugitive made the journey between Osaka (western Japan) and Istanbul hidden in a bulky musical instrument box in which 70 holes had been drilled to allow him to breathe.
According to the Turkish prosecutor in charge in this trial, two alleged accomplices of Mr. Ghosn, Michael Taylor, a former member of the American special forces, and George-Antoine Zayek, a Lebanese national, "recruited" Mr. Kösemen, part of the MNG Jet company, to ensure smooth transit through Istanbul.
According to the indictment, the private jet landed at Atatürk Airport in Istanbul, then Mr. Ghosn boarded a second aircraft which took off for Beirut.
"
No concrete evidence
"
The two pilots convicted on Wednesday, Noyan Pasin and Bahri Kutlu Somek, are those who were in command of the plane which made the connection between Osaka and Istanbul.
At trial, they dismissed the charges, claiming they were unaware of Mr. Ghosn's presence on board the aircraft.
“
I didn't expect this condemnation.
There is no concrete evidence.
I'm surprised,
”Mr. Pasin told AFP after the hearing.
The Turkish authorities accused Mr. Kösemen of having received several transfers totaling more than 250,000 euros in the months preceding Mr. Ghosn's flight.
(
with AFP
)
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See also: An American judge authorizes the extradition of alleged accomplices of Carlos Ghosn
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On the same subject
Japan: former assistant of Carlos Ghosn, Greg Kelly claims his innocence at the opening of his trial
Carlos Ghosn's leak: a year later, a still sprawling affair
Carlos Ghosn's leak: two alleged accomplices arrested in the United States