Former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn, who was anticipating trial in Japan on financial mischief charges, affirmed on Tuesday he had travelled to Lebanon, the most advanced striking twist in a rollercoaster ride that marked his fall from the boardroom to the detention centre.
In a statement, the 65-year-old tycoon stated that he would no longer be held captive by a rigged Japanese justice system, where guilt is considered, discrimination is prevalent, and fundamental human rights are refused.
“I have not fled justice, but I have flown from injustice and political persecution,” said Ghosn, who promised to talk freely with the media on starting next week.
It is not yet clear how former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn managed to leave Japan, as his bail conditions restrict him from leaving the country. Ghosn was under arrest since November 2018.
He and his lawyers have regularly asserted concerns over the difficulty of a fair trial in Japan and have asked for the case to be tossed out, calling stumbles by the prosecutors’ office.
Lebanese media stated that Ghosn had travelled by private plane from Turkey to Lebanon.
Many Lebanese view Ghosn as a representative of their country’s vast diaspora and a prime illustration of Lebanese entrepreneurial genius and have been astounded by his arrest.
But in Tokyo, the surprising twist of events will spark questions about how he could have given authorities the slip.
His Japanese lawyers were caught unawares about Ghosn’s travel plans and refused to talk to reporters.
Public broadcaster NHK cited a foreign ministry official as saying: “He was not allowed to leave the country. Had we perceived about it previously, we would have stated to proper law enforcement authorities.”