Nissan’s Ghosn released on bail in Japan

TOKYO — The Tokyo District Court approved the release of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn on 1 billion yen ($8.9 million) bail on Tuesday, ending nearly four months of detention.

The acceptance of Ghosn’s request for bail, his third, came a day after one of his lawyers said he was confident the auto executive would gain his release.

The newly hired attorney, Junichiro Hironaka, is famous for winning acquittals in Japan, a nation where the conviction rate is 99 percent.

Hironaka said on Monday that he had offered new ways to monitor Ghosn after his release, such as camera surveillance. Hironaka also questioned the grounds for Ghosn’s arrest, calling the case “very peculiar”, and suggesting it could have been dealt with as an internal company matter.

Among the conditions for Ghosn’s release were restrictions on where he can live, a ban on foreign travel and other promises not to tamper with evidence or try to flee, the court said.

The former head of the RenaultNissan-Mitsubishi Motors alliance has been detained since he was arrested on Nov 19. He said he is innocent.

Ghosn’s release might come as soon as Tuesday.

In Japan, suspects are routinely detained for months, often until their trials start. That’s especially true of those who insist on their innocence.

Prosecutors said suspects may tamper with evidence and shouldn’t be released. Two previous requests submitted by Ghosn’s legal team were denied. His previous defense lawyer, Motonari Ohtsuru, had said Ghosn’s release might not come for months.

Hironaka is among many critics of the Japanese justice system who say such lengthy detentions of suspects are unfair. He referred to the situation as “hostage justice”.

Ghosn is charged with falsifying financial reports by underreporting compensation that he contends was never paid or decided upon.

Ghosn’s family had appealed for his release, calling his detention a human rights violation.

Nissan has dismissed Ghosn as chairman, although he remains on the board pending a decision at a shareholders’ meeting.

“Nissan’s internal investigation has uncovered substantial evidence of blatantly unethical conduct,” company spokesman Nick Maxfield said.