Japan Issues Arrest Warrant for Former US Soldier on Suspicion of Smuggling Ghosn

Japanese authorities on Thursday issued arrest warrant for a former US special forces soldier on suspicion of smuggling former Nissan Motor boss Carlos Ghosn out of Japan.

Two others warrants were issued against George-Antoine Zayek and Peter Taylor over the issue, in addition to a warrant for Ghosn for illegally leaving the country, prosecutors said.

Ghosn fled to Lebanon at the end of last year, while he was awaiting trial on charges of under-reporting earnings, breach of trust and misappropriation of company funds. However, he has said he is innocent of the allegations.

He also said he left Japan because he could not expect a fair trial, accusing Nissan Motor Co. of conspiring against him to prevent a fuller merger with French alliance partner Renault.

Ghosn, who led Nissan for two decades, has lashed out at the Japanese criminal justice system, the Associated Press reported. However, prosecutors have said the detention and bail conditions were fair.

Meanwhile, as the arrest warrants came days after prosecutors searched the Tokyo office of Ghosn’s former lawyer, Lebanon and Japan have about 40 days to decide whether Ghosn will be extradited to Japan or stand trial in Lebanon.

The two countries have no extradition treaty.

According to Reuters, Ghosn’s legal team is hoping to hold the trial in Lebanon, where the former auto executive has deep ties and hopes to clear his name.