TOKYO, July 19 — A Japan court on Monday sentenced an American father-son duo who helped former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn flee the country to between 20 months and two years in prison.
The Taylors did not contest the allegations against them, admitting their role in the audacious escape that left Ghosn an international fugitive in Lebanon. Japanese prosecutors said earlier this month they were seeking a sentence of two years, 10 months for Michael, and two years, six months for Peter.They also argued that the pair’s 10-month detention in the United States before extradition should be considered in sentencing. The Taylors arrived in Tokyo in March after losing their battle against extradition.
A third man, identified as George Antoine Zayek, is also accused of involvement in the escape but remains at large. He met Michael Taylor in a hotel in Osaka and was smuggled onto a private jet in the infamous equipment case. And two pilots and another employee of a small private airline in Turkey have been sentenced to four years and two months for their role in Ghosn’s escape.