A former U.S. Army Special Forces member who has been accused of assisting in the escape of Nissan’s former chairman Carlos Ghosn from Japan will resist any attempt to extradite him from the U.S., according to his lawyer.
Michael Taylor, 59, was taken into custody Wednesday by U.S. Marshals and risks possible extradition to Japan for his alleged role in smuggling Ghosn to Lebanon late last year.
Taylor’s lawyer said his client has not been notified of a formal extradition request but prepares to contest any such move.
“We do not yet have the actual request for extradition from Japan, however, once we receive and have a chance to review it, we fully expect to challenge the request on several legal and factual grounds,” the lawyer, Paul V. Kelly, said Thursday in a statement.
Taylor and his son Peter are being held at the request of Japanese authorities, who have 45 days to file a formal extradition request under U.S. law. They have been accused of helping Ghosn flee Japan, where he faced trial for alleged financial misconduct.
Peter Taylor, who is also represented by Kelly, will oppose extradition as well.
A top official in Japan’s Cabinet said earlier Thursday that the country was taking steps to request speedy extradition, but one Japanese expert said that process may take time and could be difficult to carry out.
U.S. prosecutors stated that they detained the Taylors the same day that Peter Taylor, 27, had planned to fly to Beirut.
Ghosn was arrested in late 2018 in a case that made headlines around the world.
The former Nissan and Renault executive has denied the charges and accused the Japanese justice system of being rigged against him. He remains in his native country, which does not have an extradition treaty with Japan.
In February, Japanese Justice Minister Masako Mori said in an interview that she would “never give up” on her pursuit of Ghosn.
