What will happen to Ghosn when his 22-day detention ends today?
TOKYO — Monday is the end of former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn’s 22-day detention, having been held without charge since his arrest on suspicion of under-reporting compensation for five years following a whistleblower tip-off.
Mr. Ghosn and co-accused Greg Kelly, a former Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. representative director, are likely to be charged the same day, the Nikkei reported on Friday.
However, their release is unlikely as prosecutors are expected to re-arrest them for mis-reporting compensation for three additional years, the financial newspaper said, beginning another detention period of up to 22 days.
HOW CAN GHOSN BE RE-ARRESTED?
Repeatedly arresting individuals on slightly different allegations linked to the same case is a relatively common practice in Japan. It allows prosecutors to hold suspects while they pursue investigations and also means they can continue interrogations without the presence of a lawyer.
Domestic media have reported that Messrs. Ghosn and Kelly denied wrongdoing, though their lawyers have not issued statements. a news conference last week. “I’m not sure it’s right to criticise other systems simply because they are different.”
It is not as if the system immune to reform, however. Starting next year, interrogations must be recorded in cases initiated by the Special Investigations Unit. Prosecutors said they are recording the questioning of Mr. Ghosn.
COULD THE WHISTLEBLOWER ACCEPT A PLEA BARGAIN?