Ousted Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn appears to violate house arrest in Tokyo, reportedly lands in Lebanon
Ousted Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn appears to violate house arrest in Tokyo, reportedly lands in Lebanon
Published Mon, Dec 30 20194:24 PM ESTUpdated 29 min ago
Carlos Ghosn, former chairman of Nissan Motor Co., sits in a vehicle as he leaves his lawyer’s office in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.
Takaaki Iwabu | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Carlos Ghosn, the ousted boss of the Renault-Nissan carmaking alliance who was awaiting trial in Japan, flew into Lebanon on Monday evening, France’s Les Echos newspaper reported.
The newspaper cited its own unnamed source and a report in Lebanese newspaper L’Orient-Le Jour. There was no immediate confirmation from official sources.
It was unclear how Ghosn, who holds both French and Lebanese citizenship, would have been able to leave Japan, where he has been under strict court-imposed restrictions on his movements.
Nissan's ex-head Ghosn in surprise Lebanon arrival
Nissan's ex-head Carlos Ghosn in surprise Lebanon arrival
Official sources have not yet confirmed that Mr Ghosn has left Japan, where he was awaiting trial
Former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn has reportedly travelled to Lebanon after leaving Japan, media outlets say.
The Financial Times newspaper quotes an associate of Mr Ghosn's saying the businessman landed in Beirut on Sunday.
Official sources have yet to confirm his movement.
Mr Ghosn was arrested over allegations of financial misconduct in 2018 and faces several charges. It is unclear how we has able to leave Japan where he was on bail pending trial.
Whether he has struck a deal with prosecutors or fled is unknown. The businessman holds both French and Lebanese passports.
French newspaper Les Echos reports that he allegedly arrived in a private jet which flew to Lebanon from Turkey - although this is also unconfirmed.
His lawyers have accused the Japanese government of conspiring against him, calling the prosecution's case "politically motivated".
Mr Ghosn has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Once considered a hero in Japan for turning around Nissan - and becoming the subject of a comic book there - Mr Ghosn spent 108 days in custody after his arrest in Tokyo in November 2018.
While he has since been released, he was under strict bail conditions and could not leave Japan.
He faces four charges - including an allegation that he diverting money away from the company he ran for his own gain.
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