Two accomplices in Carlos Ghosn's escape drop their appeal

Carlos Ghosn has been permanently residing in Lebanon since his escape.

Reuters

The Tokyo court announced to AFP yesterday that it had confirmed the two prison sentences for the two Americans who helped businessman Carlos Ghosn flee Japan in late 2019, as the two convicts forfeited their right to appeal.

Ten days ago, Michael Taylor, 60, a former US Special Forces soldier, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, and his son Peter Taylor, 28, to 20 months.

They admitted that they helped the former head of the Renault-Nissan alliance, Carlos Ghosn, leave Japan in late December 2019, hiding in a large box dedicated to transporting audio equipment, to avoid inspections at the airport.

Ghosn was at that time released from prison on bail, while he was prevented from leaving Japanese territory, pending trial, on suspicion of embezzlement of funds, when he was head of Nissan.

"Both convictions have been confirmed," a Tokyo District Court spokesperson for Michael and Peter Taylor said.

Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that the Americans, as well as prosecutors, forfeited their right to appeal in the 14 days following the July 19 ruling.

During their trial, which began in mid-June, Michael and Peter Taylor apologized, stating that they repented of their actions.

And their defense attorneys demanded suspended penalties, stressing in particular that Carlos Ghosn is the main mastermind of the whole operation, and that Michael and Peter Taylor spent 10 months in pretrial detention in the United States, before being extradited to Japan in March of this year.

A man of Lebanese origin, Georges Antoine Zayek - also suspected of being complicit in the operation - is still on the loose.

Currently, Ghosn, who holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian nationalities, has been permanently residing in Lebanon since his escape, and is protected from Japanese justice, as Lebanon does not extradite its citizens.

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