BOSTON (AP) – The US Supreme Court on Saturday opened the way for the extradition of an American father and son wanted by Japan in the escape of the former head of Nissan Motor Co. Carlos Ghosn.
Judge Stephen Breyer rejected a request to put extradition on hold to give Michael and Peter Taylor time to pursue an appeal in their case, prompting plans by US officials to hand them over to Japan.
Michael Taylor, a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, and his son are accused of helping Ghosn, who led the Japanese carmaker for two decades, flee the country last year with Ghosn hidden in a box on a private jet. The flight left first for Turkey, then for Lebanon, where Ghosn has citizenship, but no extradition treaty with Japan.
Taylor’s lawyers say the men cannot be extradited legally and will be treated unfairly in Japan. Their lawyers told the Supreme Court in a document submitted on Friday that the men would face harsh treatment in the Japanese criminal justice system.
“The issues raised by the petitioners deserve a complete and careful analysis, and the stakes are huge for them. At least what they owe to the US courts to the petitioners is a full chance to litigate these issues, including to exercise their rights of appeal, before they are destined for the fate that awaits them in the hands of the Japanese government, “their lawyers wrote .
U.S. officials said they would not hand over the men to Japan while their offer of residence was pending before Breyer, a lawyer told Taylors.
Michael Taylor said in an interview with The Associated Press that he feels betrayed that the US will try to hand him over to Japan after serving in the country. Taylor declined to discuss the details of the case because of the possibility that he could be tried in Japan, but insisted his son had no involvement.
The first Court of Appeal of the US Circuit in Boston on Thursday refused to stop the extradition, finding that Taylor is unlikely to succeed on the merits of their case. The Tayloris have been locked up in a Boston suburban prison since their arrest in May.
Ghosn was released on bail on his escape and is awaiting trial on charges that he reported his income and committed a breach of trust by embezzling Nissan money for his personal gain. Ghosn said he fled because he could not expect a fair trial, was subjected to unfair conditions in detention and was barred from meeting his wife on bail. Ghosn denied any wrongdoing.