Former U.S. Green Beret Michael Taylor expressed regret on Tuesday for helping Carlos Ghosn escape Japan back in 2019.
Taylor, who is facing trial in Japan alongside his son Peter after their extradition from the United States, apologized for his role in the infamous escape before a Tokyo court.
“I deeply regret my actions and sincerely apologize for causing difficulties for the judicial process and for the Japanese people. I’m sorry,” he said before bowing to the judges and the prosecutors.
The 60-year-old answered yes after being asked whether he believed Ghosn should have stayed in Japan.
The Taylors had admitted to helping Ghosn escape Japan earlier in June, around three months after their extradition by the U.S., following their months-long attempt to dodge extradition.
Their lawyers had argued that helping Ghosn did not constitute a crime in Japan and that the duo could face intense interrogation and torture in Japan.
When asked on Tuesday if Japanese prosecutors had treated him badly, Taylor said that the prosecutor who questioned him after his arrest was “respectable and honorable.”
“After more than 400 days in jail, I have had a lot of time to reflect. I take full responsibility and deeply apologize. I am sorry,” his son Peter later said before also bowing to the judges.
If convicted, the Taylors face up to three years in prison.
