How Ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn escaped Japan in a box

 

Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn became an international fugitive after fleeing house arrest in Japan in 2019. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Mr Ghosn explains how he disguised himself to slip unnoticed through the streets of Tokyo, why a large music equipment box was chosen to smuggle him out of Japan and the elation he felt when he finally landed in his native Lebanon.

2 Americans accused in Ghosn escape to go on trial June 14

 Michael and Peter Taylor who supposedly helped former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn skip bail in Japan and return to Lebanon are to go on "trail" in June. The reason I put trial in quotes is that, as certain as you know the sky is blue the Taylors will be convicted of helping Ghosn escape.  As jury trials are rare in Japan a panel of  judges will decide their guilt or innocence .  Just sound repetitive there is a 100% they will be found guilty.  In Japan suspects can be questioned without their lawyers present. That allows the prosecutors fabricate the narrative needed for conviction and there's nothing the defendants or their lawyers can do about it. 

  Michael Taylor and his son Peter are accused of hiding Ghosn in a music box so he could flee to Lebanon in late 2019. The Taylors have been denied bail at the Tokyo Detention Center and not available for comment.

Ghosn, arrested in 2018, was awaiting trial on financial misconduct allegations, including underreporting his compensation and breach of trust in diverting Nissan Motor Co. money for personal gain, when he fled. He says he is innocent.

Peter Taylor is accused of meeting with Ghosn and helping carry out the escape. The Taylors were paid at least $1.3 million, authorities say.

The Taylors argued in the U.S. courts they did not commit a crime because jumping bail is technically not a crime in Japan.

2 American men wanted for aiding Ghosn's escape arrive in Japan

 Michael and Peter Taylor have been accused by Japanese authorities in facilitating the escape of Carlos  Ghosn the former chairman of Nissan Motors in December of 2019 after his release on bail over charges that he failed to, or hid income concerning his salary and bonuses.  Thereby failing to pay the necessary taxes. Mr. Ghosn was spirted out of Tokyo in a large musical equipment box on the Shinkansen finally arriving at Kansai airport where he was loaded aboard a charted private jet and flown to Lebanon.    

The Taylors have been fighting extradition on two fronts: First that bail jumping isn't a crime in Japan and second that the Japanese judicial system is weighted heavily against the accused as there is no presumption of innocence.     Once in custody the Taylors can be held for 20 days and questioned by the public prosecutor. As long as charges haven't been officially laid against them their detention can continue indefinitely. During questioning they are not allowed to have a lawyer present. That allows the prosecutors to establish a narrative which the the defendants are unable to refute.  Japanese police have been known to use various forms of coercion to facilitate a defendants confession. While in custody they will, if held together be unable to talk as the rules prohibit any communication between prisoners. The lights in their cells will always be on.  

The Japanese justice system as was stated earlier is based upon the presumption of innocence but on confessions of ones guilt. Fighting against the charges will just result in  a longer prison sentence. With a more than 98% conviction rate the Taylor's have little chance of ever being found innocent at trial.  Outside of Japan their justice system is has one based on hostage taking. Confess and you'll spend some time in detention. Fight the charges and except a very large fine and a much longer time stay in the grey bar hotel.