Former Nissan chief skips bail in Japan and flees to Lebanon
NISSAN’S former chairman Carlos Ghosn has said he had flown to Lebanon but not to flee justice, but instead to avoid “injustice and political persecution” in Japan where he is to be tried for alleged financial misconduct.
Mr Ghosn was out on bail – and therefore banned from overseas travel – before his departure, which occurred under unclear circumstances.
He disclosed his location through his representatives but did not say how he left the country, and he promised to talk to reporters next week.
“I am now in Lebanon and will no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system where guilt is presumed, discrimination is rampant, and basic human rights are denied in flagrant disregard of Japan’s legal obligations under international law and treaties it is bound to uphold,” the statement said.
Japanese media quoted prosecutors speaking anonymously who said they did not know how Mr Ghosn had left the country while under surveillance.
Mr Ghosn, who is of Lebanese origin and holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian passports, was arrested in November 2018 and was expected to face trial in April 2020.
Prosecutors fought his release but a court granted him bail with conditions that he be monitored and he could not meet with his wife Carole, who is also of Lebanese origin.
Japan does not have an extradition treaty with Lebanon, making it unclear what steps the authorities might take.
Mr Ghosn has repeatedly asserted his innocence, saying authorities trumped up charges to prevent a possible fuller merger between Nissan and alliance partner Renault.
He has been charged with underreporting his future compensation and breach of trust.
During his release on bail, Mr Ghosn had been going daily to the office of his main lawyer Junichiro Hironaka to work on his case.
Mr Hironaka has not commented on Ghosn’s departure from the country.
Earlier, Ricardo Karam, a television host and friend of Mr Ghosn, said that Mr Ghosn had arrived in Lebanon on Monday morning.
Mr Ghosn was credited with leading a spectacular turnaround at the Nissan company beginning in the late 1990s.
The charges Mr faces carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.