crime

Prosecutors probe 2 Americans for allegedly helping Ghosn escape

64 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

64 Comments
Login to comment

Well, this is merely confirmation of what we all knew would happen once news of their involvement was disclosed.

In due course, arrest warrants will be issued, Japan will ask Interpol to issue a Red Notice, and the U.S. will be requested to detain and extradite these individuals.

Hell hath no fury like a prosecutor who loses face or is embarrassed.

20 ( +26 / -6 )

I bet they were extremely well paid, as in enough to live on the rest of their lives, as they probably expected Japan to pursue them afterwards.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

Shutting the stable door after the horse has gone.

What a complete waste of tax payers money by a rogue prosecutor's office. Who is supposed to investigate the prosecutors?

14 ( +23 / -9 )

If Britain can't get a stupid, selfish American who drove on the wrong side of the road and killed a boy, what makes you think Japan can get these two?

14 ( +15 / -1 )

The Japanese authorities keep shooting themselves in the foot. They're too stupid to know when to quit.

13 ( +23 / -10 )

"Since the US is one of two countries that Japan has an extradition treaty with the prosecutors will just ask the the US to extradite them".

I imagine the two men are in a non-extradition country by now, and have been paid handsomely to do so for their help.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

Japan has an extradition treaty with the US. The prosecutors might seek extradition of those two US citizens.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Japan wont need to go the route of going through Interpol. Japan has an extradition treaty with the US already, and it can make the request if charges against these two have been filed here in Japan.

That is true if they are in the U.S. However, I was making the assumption that the Red Notice would be sought as a backstop in case they are not in the U.S. I would assume Japan would try to ensure that they don't try to seek refuge outside of the U.S.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

In due course, arrest warrants will be issued, Japan will ask Interpol to issue a Red Notice, and the U.S. will be requested to detain and extradite these individuals.

Japan wont need to go the route of going through Interpol. Japan has an extradition treaty with the US already, and it can make the request if charges against these two have been filed here in Japan.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

I wouldn't want to be probed by Japanese prosecutors either.

It's bad enough when the TSA throws my shampoo in the little trash car under their inspection table because it's "suspicious".

I think we can universally agree that helping others escape criminal justice is with extremely rare exceptions unjustifiable.

Perhaps this is one of those exceptions?

I don't work for Nissan, but know quite a few who do. The bureaucracy involved in getting any sort of money moved - even a check for a few hundred dollars to pay a contractor - suggests that if Ghosn was moving and under-reporting billions of yen, they knew about it and didn't have a problem with it.

Until they had a problem with him.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

Yubaru

Completely agree.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Since the US is one of two countries that Japan has an extradition treaty with the prosecutors will just ask the the US to extradite them. They won’t ask Interpol for a red notice, especially after being embarrassed at the way it worked out with the Carole Ghosn. It must have really hurt to be told no.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

The Ministry should accept defeat and stop wasting my taxes...

8 ( +10 / -2 )

who was facing trial over alleged financial misconduct while in charge of the Japanese automaker.

who was facing 130 days in jail without a trial while Saikawa bowed and walked away...

there fixed it for ya

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Prosecutors and police are investigating whether Ghosn left the country illegally.

Says a hell of a lot about a system when the police and investigators dont know or not if someone who is out on bail, and leaves the country, by whatever means, did so illegally or not!

And people wonder why they get called the keystones at times!

7 ( +21 / -14 )

Do you think those 2 will be let extradited ?

Let me laugh loud !

Their connections allowed them to go over Japan's system easily.

No one is going to touch them. Japan would face not some Yakuza jokes but hardened men who must have done things you see in tough war movies only.

7 ( +16 / -9 )

More delusions from Japan. They will need a lot of evidence to seek extradition. I would also expect that, if extradition is granted there will be stringent stipulations about the terms and length of their incarceration awaiting trial. The Japanese prosecutors would be crazy enough to put the Green Berets into indefinite incarceration with daily interrogations to force a confession. It's just not gonna happen! Get over it Japan! Ghosn is gone and you have lost. Let's see how long they drag it out for Kelly.

7 ( +17 / -10 )

Japan wont need to go the route of going through Interpol. Japan has an extradition treaty with the US already, and it can make the request if charges against these two have been filed here in Japan.

you ACTUALLY think these two are in America? buahahah...

6 ( +9 / -3 )

"Arrest them and hold them indefinitely without bail."

Japanese Style!

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Hope these two guys are drinking some tropical drinks by a nice beach in a country they cannot be extradited from.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

So now.... instead of the "trumped up charges" against Ghosn, the crime is now his escape. Ghosn was set-up by Nissan. In finance there is the term called "poison pill".... it basically means a method in which a company can avoid a hostile take over. Usually they do this by various classes of stock, voting rights and options. But Nissan didn't have that option. Many Japanese companies employ a defensive poison pill strategy... because they do not want to be taken over.... especially by a foreign company. So Nissan developed their poison pill strategy using Ghosn as their "pill". And a perfect "pill" he was.... they gaslighted him to the point where he thought he was God... then they pulled the carpet out from beneath him. Japan Incorporated... the Government, Big Business and the Yakuza. Not saying Japan is a terrible country.... ALL countries have major problems...

5 ( +15 / -10 )

Tokyo prosecutors have launched an investigation into two Americans for allegedly helping former Nissan Motor Co Chairman Carlos Ghosn escape

Prosecutors suspect

Ghosn met with the two men at a hotel in Tokyo and took a bullet train to Osaka Prefecture before flying out of Kansai International Airport, according to the source. He reportedly evaded airport security checks by hiding in a box prepared by the men and flew to Turkey and then to Lebanon. There was no record of Ghosn leaving Japan

hahahahahahah! How's that bruised ego healing? All this is just like the whole case! NO PROOF! Just speculations! Just give it up, man! The shady ways of the land have been blown and now you're trying to play "the victim" here with baseless/evidence-less glorified hear-say BS! What proof do you have?

5 ( +13 / -8 )

I wouldn't want to be probed by Japanese prosecutors either.

Did I miss a line in the story that says the Americans had left Japan? Or is the border that porous that 3 people left?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Prosecutors suspect

They suspect, so they are not sure yet. I dont think they can go anywhere based on just suspicion, they tried with Ghosn and failed .

also, why they made their names public without evidence? show us the video of their hotel meeting.

lastly, if Ghosn was judged innocent, what will be the position of the prosecutors seizing the documents of people met with Ghosn?

Maybe they should wait until the trial of Ghosn and then go on rampage.

what next? they will be prosecuting anyone who wrote a comment about Ghosn online?

5 ( +11 / -6 )

The 2 Americans will be extradited. PM Abe will talk to Trump, "We'll pay more of the military cost provided these 2 are handed over". In the US, no one cares about Ghosn unlike in France or Lebanon.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Probably made it to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them....maybe you can hire The A-Team

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Shimazaki-san

Saikawa is still on the board of Nissan. he was the one that set Ghosn up. Tell me when did Ghosn get a chance to do a plea bargain and bow in front of the fawning Japanese media? Saikawa had no intent? No intent to get rid of Ghosn by foul means? No intent to thwart the intent of Renault? Give me a break and spare me the attempt at trying to make Saikawa an honourable person. Your attempt at a logical argument fails dismally. maybe you work for the prosecutors office.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Facts are facts. Ghosn is gulity.

Are those two sentences supposed to be connected? Because Ghosn hasn’t been found guilty, so that’s not a fact unless you’re a person who believes an accusation equals guilt. Do you believe that?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

How ridiculous and how pathetic!!!

4 ( +11 / -7 )

Too bad. Ghosn is long gone now and Japan will never get him back. Too little too late for Japan. I'm glad he escaped. He didn't deserve to be treated like he was by the Japanese criminal justice system.

4 ( +12 / -8 )

This is time wasting, even the Japanese lawyers cannot agree to Japanese unfair system. If I was not a fair person, I will saying losing face to the world is more important than sloving the nissan case. We have not seen anything abt nissan facing false accounts reports. Have we ???.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

The simplest thing to check is Immigration - Did Taylor and Zayek enter the country legally? Did they exit Japan legally? Were they ever really there? I think someone is chasing rabbits down a hole!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@Kazuaki

I want to hear your argument about why Kelly is being charged and Saikawa isn't, when they are both signatories to the alleged under reporting of Ghosn's compensation.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

The Prosecutors office just looks more stupid every time they burst into print. What a bunch of muppets.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Did I miss a line in the story that says the Americans had left Japan? Or is the border that porous that 3 people left?

They were the ones that flew out of Kansai, with Ghosn as luggage.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It is too late, Ghosn had already gone.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Guess they will now have to use that backup passport next time they visit Tokyo Disneland.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

They were the ones that flew out of Kansai, with Ghosn as luggage.

That isn't what the article above says. It doesn't say anything about the 2 men, just Ghosn. Ass.u.me. nothing.

I don't know if Ghosn is guilty or not. It do consider the Japanese legal process flawed since someone can be held indefinitely without formal charges. Letting a high-profile, serious flight risk, wealth person out on bail without a GPS tracker and law enforcement watching was dumb.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The United States is not going to comply with a request to extradite citizens ACCUSED of an alleged crime. There needs to be evidence and proof that they are guilty of committing a crime. Rumours hearsay and second hand 'I think this is what happened' will not sway the United States justice system. Innocent until PROVEN Guilty, unlike Japan's Guilty until You PROVE Your Innocence or are Remorseful...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Forget about Ghosn, Japan, and forget about the two guys who helped him get out.

Carlos Ghosn is now Carlos Gone. So are those two guys. You're never getting any of them back.

You've got bigger problems now, Japan, like containing that coronavirus.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

@AscissorToday 11:48 am JST

Do you mean comments about jumping bail specifically, or comments about the legal system?

The former in particular. It is one thing to argue the pros and cons of 23 days of detention versus massive overcharging (plea bargains). It is another to openly wish that people who helped an Accused (Ghosn is no longer a Suspect, he's an Accused) escape get effective immunity for their actions.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

Tokyo prosecutors have launched an investigation into two Americans for allegedly helping former Nissan Motor Co Chairman Carlos Ghosn escape from Japan

You can't make this stuff up.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

It's not going to happen. The US has just refused to extradite an American woman who drove into a British 19 year old causing his death. 'The car was being driven, on the wrong side of the road, by Anne Sacoolas, the wife of a US government employee working at the United States Air Force listening station at RAF Croughton'. Can you imagine the anger if the US then hand over two people who only 'helped an escape'.

From two days ago: 'Harry Dunn: US refusal to extradite suspect a 'denial of justice' – British PM

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jan/28/harry-dunn-us-refusal-to-extradite-suspect-a-denial-of-justice-pm

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Carlos Ghosn is now Carlos Gone. So are those two guys. You're never getting any of them back.

Toasted Heretic: Indeed, as we all know, big business and American criminals are above the law.

I would so love to see Toasted Heretic say that to the face of the former Green Beret who got Ghosn out of Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

You are wasting tax payers money needed for other things. He is gone. We don't always win. Move on.

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

In future attempts by foreigners for bail, I wonder whether the posts here can be used to demonstrate a hooliganism by Westerners at Japanese law

Do you mean comments about jumping bail specifically, or comments about the legal system?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Forget about Ghosn, Japan, and forget about the two guys who helped him get out.

Carlos Ghosn is now Carlos Gone. So are those two guys. You're never getting any of them back.

Indeed, as we all know, big business and American criminals are above the law.

You've got bigger problems now, Japan, like containing that coronavirus.

Will you be getting out of Japan, too?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

NORTHERNLIFE

The press conference where he drags on for hours about how narcissistic he is? Yea, saw it. Half of his answers were nothing more than oh, I didn't know I had to pay for that out of my own pocket, nobody told me, etc. Still doesn't erase the facts of his wife/son being paper-heads of companies directly tied to payments made thru Ghosn with Nissan cash.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

SongenshiToday 07:54 pm JST

Saikawa eventually had to quit. He does not have to be honorable, and the prosecutors no doubt expect the defense lawyers to, should the case go to court, attack Saikawa's credibility. But it does matter, as far as the law is concerned, that he at least tried to do the "right thing", even to the point of accepting legal liability to do so.

As for Ghosn, he could have done himself a favor. He isn't that stupid. He must have known that his whole "Not reporting the cost when he should have because it was not finalized" BS is at best a legal technicality ploy. It might work if Nissan was on his side to help him muddy the waters, but it's obvious it is not.

When the prosecutor explained the first charge to him, what he should have done is quickly fold. He didn't really even have much dispute on the facts, according to his version, the prosecutor was fairly straight with him - no you hadn't received it and all that. He never said he didn't even have the slightest clue about it.

He was going to try to fight it on a matter of statutory interpretation, and if he spent ten seconds thinking about it, he can envisage how likely his interpretation will come out on top. He would likely have gotten suspended prosecution if he immediately said, "OK, I agree with these facts. I tried. I listened to my lawyer. I'm sorry. I'll quit Nissan."

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Arrest them and hold them indefinitely without bail.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Vindication is such an amazing feeling. Never ever doubt your skeptical voice. Even when you're the minority.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

@justasking Today 03:48 pm JST

Factor #1: The attitude of the Victim (Nissan, the legal entity).

Factor #2: Intent - the internal report says that Saikawa gained financially but did not intend to do so.

Factor #3: Active repentance - Saikawa threw himself at the mercy of the prosecutors pretty early on, helped "finger" other people ... etc. Kelly ... not so much.

So you see, there are a number of factors that are clearly different and not to the favor of Ghosn and Kelly.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

NORTHERNLIFE

I know this because there's been too many details released where Ghosn pretended to play stupid, the involvement of his wife as paper head of companies involved with illegal payments (including his son, too), and the list goes on and on.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

In future attempts by foreigners for bail, I wonder whether the posts here can be used to demonstrate a hooliganism by Westerners at Japanese law, creating a basis for their permanent detention. While we are at it, since foreigners seem to love heavy sentences, perhaps their sentences can be to their liking (heavy).

I think we can universally agree that helping others escape criminal justice is with extremely rare exceptions unjustifiable. If so, perhaps a healthier attitude will be to support all attempts by Japan in getting those two suspects.

-10 ( +7 / -17 )

All of this nonsense is just window dressing. Facts are facts. Ghosn is gulity.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

The two G.I. Joes should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law for aiding and abetting a fugitive of Japanese law ... whether one agrees or disagrees with the law.

-14 ( +11 / -25 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites