Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
web
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • Silicone
    • Latex
    • Coronavirus
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Women in Tire & Rubber
    • ITEC
    • International Elastomer Show
    • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Combined Goodyear-Cooper Tire company has tire tech, sustainability edge
      Cooper Standard ranked among 'World's Most Ethical Companies'
      Bridgestone claims 'novel' polymer advance under 'TechSyn' collaboration
      New Porsche 911 GT3 to feature Michelin fitment
    • Birla Carbon again recognized for sustainability efforts
      Carlisle TyrFil out with new recycling technology
      Bridgestone claims 'novel' polymer advance under 'TechSyn' collaboration
      New Porsche 911 GT3 to feature Michelin fitment
    • ASC seeks presenters for fall convention
      Birla Carbon again recognized for sustainability efforts
      Carlisle TyrFil out with new recycling technology
      Cooper Standard ranked among 'World's Most Ethical Companies'
    • ASC seeks presenters for fall convention
      Birla Carbon again recognized for sustainability efforts
      Bridgestone claims 'novel' polymer advance under 'TechSyn' collaboration
      Cancarb completes sixth unit expansion
    • Stockwell Elastomerics' legacy moves on
      Larger mixers tout economies of scale, along with the need for speed
      Hexpol, Bloom deal with COVID, reorganization, fire since start of 2020
      Small, mid-size compounders keep value, agility, service 'in the mix'
    • Ohio firm focuses on making better masks in U.S.
      U.S. to increase NBR, make gloves using Defense Production Act
      Tire Cologne canceled; rescheduled for 2022
      Tire Technology Expo canceled for 2021
    • Stockwell Elastomerics' legacy moves on
      Dana Inc. hires Byron Foster in executive role
      Dana hires new senior vice president of global operations
      Borealis appoints Thomas Gengl as CEO
    • ASC seeks presenters for fall convention
      VMI, Safe-Run differ over latest ruling in patent case
      U.S. to increase NBR, make gloves using Defense Production Act
      Commerce reduces import duty for Cheng Shin/Maxxis
    • Column: Discussions of race, equality may mean uncomfortable moments
      Column: Business trips possible because of essential workers
      Editorial: Associations see opportunity for progress under new administration
      Editorial: Against a backdrop of turmoil, M&A deals give glimpse of normalcy
    • Studying RPA ASTM methods for detecting compound quality differences
      Damage mechanism in oil and gas formulations during downhole testing
      Advancements in synchronous drive belt design for industrial and consumer markets
      Effects of multiple repurposed materials for reinforcements of standard rubber compounds
    • Rubber Division introduces WORD webinar series
      WORD panelists say evolution, authenticity keys to success
      New video celebrates women in rubber industry
      ITEC panelists say women can thrive in tire industry
    • Goodyear recognized by Lockheed Martin as 'elite supplier'
      EV tire advancements to help secure future
      Lambillotte: Only question on AVs is timing
      CAR official says EV future brighter than autonomous
    • Rubber Division introduces WORD webinar series
      Rubber Division seeks abstracts for 200th Technical Meeting
      WORD panelists say evolution, authenticity keys to success
      IEC keynote: Communication key to logistics
    • Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Faster Access to Your Polymer Compounding Experts Around the World
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Take a walk thru a HEXPOL Lab
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      HEXPOL offers a unique selection of High Performance Elastomers to match your application requirements
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      It’s what you can’t see that makes the Difference at HEXPOL
  • Blogs
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
    • New Products: Starrett expands field-of-view for multi-sensor vision system
      New Products: Nova thinks outside the box with sealing tech
      New Products: MonTech introduces 1,500 kN lab press
      New products: 3M introduces new durable, pliable medical adhesive
    • Wacky World of Rubber: How Trelleborg, teens sealed a spot in the world record book
      Wacky World of Rubber: Of chicken and feet, but not chicken feet
      Wacky World of Rubber: Time to go mattress shopping
      Wacky World of Rubber: Because nothing says football like 'frunk' shrimp
  • Newsletters
    • Rubber in Automotive
    • Silicone News
    • Latex News
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Combined Goodyear-Cooper Tire company has tire tech, sustainability edge
      Cooper Standard ranked among 'World's Most Ethical Companies'
      Bridgestone claims 'novel' polymer advance under 'TechSyn' collaboration
      New Porsche 911 GT3 to feature Michelin fitment
    • Stockwell Elastomerics' legacy moves on
      Larger mixers tout economies of scale, along with the need for speed
      Hexpol, Bloom deal with COVID, reorganization, fire since start of 2020
      Small, mid-size compounders keep value, agility, service 'in the mix'
    • Combined Goodyear-Cooper Tire company has tire tech, sustainability edge
      Helixtap launches new digital marketplace for rubber
      Helixtap starts up digital platform for rubber trading
      European Rubber Journal acquired by NUERJ
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Directory
  • Resources
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
    • Sponsored By HB Chemical
      Above and Beyond with HB Chemical
      Sponsored By HB Chemical
      The Company Behind the Inventory
      Sponsored By French Oil Mill Machinery
      Process Improvement, Cost Reduction with Custom Press Systems
      Sponsored By HB Chemical
      Above and Beyond with HB Chemical
    • Sponsored By Uncountable Inc.
      Labs of the Future: How to Choose a Laboratory Information Management System in 2021
      Sponsored By Uncountable Inc.
      Cooper Standard deploys lab informatics platform to synchronize R&D
      Sponsored By Elkem
      LSR Selectâ„¢: A solution to improve your financial impact in molding applications
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Peroxide Cureable Silicone Injection Molding
  • Data
  • Events
    • RPN Events
    • RPN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • ITEC Library
    • International Silicone Conference Library
    • 2021 Healthcare Elastomers Virtual Edition
      2021 Rubber in Automotive Virtual Edition
      2021 International Latex Conference Virtual Edition
      2022 ITEC
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
January 02, 2020 04:24 PM

Embattled former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn flees Japan for Lebanon

Hans Greimel
Automotive News
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Carlos Ghosn surfaced in Lebanon Dec. 30 after apparently fleeing Japan, where he faces criminal charges.

    Indicted former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn has surfaced in Lebanon, despite being under strict bail conditions not to leave Japan, in a remarkable turn of events after more than a year of legal drama.

    In a statement issued Dec. 30 after arriving in the country, Ghosn said he was not fleeing justice in Japan but rather escaping injustice and political persecution.

    Ghosn had been awaiting trial in Tokyo for alleged financial misconduct during his time at the helm of the auto maker and faced years in prison if convicted.

    "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," Ghosn said.

    "I have not fled justice—I have escaped injustice and political persecution."

    It is unclear exactly when and how Ghosn left Japan for Lebanon, where he is a citizen.

    According to a senior Lebanese foreign ministry source, Ghosn entered Lebanon legally on a French passport and using his Lebanese ID with normal security procedures, Reuters reported. Asked if Ghosn used a French passport, the French foreign ministry press service said it had no immediate comment.

    Ghosn arrived in Beirut on a private jet from Istanbul on Monday, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

    Japanese public broadcaster NHK said it may be difficult for Japan to ask Lebanon to send the fallen auto titan back for trial because there is no extradition agreement between Japan and Lebanon.

    The terms of Ghosn's bail in Japan kept him under tight surveillance by the Tokyo prosecutor's office and banned him from leaving the country.

    Ghosn may have to forfeit $13.8 million in bail for decamping.

    Little information

    One of the lawyers representing Ghosn told Japanese public broadcaster NHK: "I don't know anything. We will check on this from now." Several prosecutors also told NHK that they were unaware of the developments and "trying to confirm the facts."

    The Tokyo District Court told NHK that it had not changed the bail conditions banning Ghosn from international travel. According to Japanese government officials, there was also no record of Ghosn's departure in the database of Japan's Immigration Services Agency.

    According to a senior Lebanese foreign ministry source, Ghosn entered Lebanon legally on a French passport and using his Lebanese ID with normal security procedures. Asked if Ghosn used a French passport, the French foreign ministry press service said it had no immediate comment.

    His lawyers were still in possession of his three passports, one of his lawyers, Junichiro Hironaka, told reporters.

    Hironaka, in comments broadcast live on NHK, said the first he had heard of Ghosn's departure was on the news this morning and that he was surprised. He also said it was "inexcusable behavior."

    Yearlong legal drama

    Ghosn was arrested just over a year ago in Tokyo on allegations of financial improprieties while chairman of Nissan Motor Co. He has been indicted on four counts in Japan.

    The first two are charges of failing to disclose tens of millions of dollars in deferred compensation. The two other counts are breach of trust charges that accuse Ghosn of diverting company money for personal gain. Ghosn, who denies the entire slate of charges, faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $1.4 million if convicted on all four counts.

    Ghosn's lawyers and his wife, Carole Ghosn, have expressed doubt that the former boss of the Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi auto group would get a fair trial in Japan. Although an official trial date had not yet been set, the case wasn't expected to head to court until the spring of 2020.

    Ghosn's attorney in Japan argues that prosecutors illegally conspired with Nissan executives and government officials to frame him and remove him from power in order to prevent a full merger of Nissan with French alliance partner Renault.

    In the process, Ghosn's lawyers have said, prosecutors also have violated his rights by engaging in such activities as illegal evidence collection and denying his right to a speedy trial.

    The Tokyo prosecutor's office has denied inappropriate handling of evidence.

    Lebanese roots

    Born in Brazil of Lebanese ancestry, Ghosn grew up in Beirut and has retained close ties to Lebanon.

    At Ghosn's gated villa in the Achrafieh neighborhood of Beirut, a handful of police and private security personnel stood guard on Tuesday.

    A man who identified himself only as his English neighbor walked by to leave a card, with the words "Carlos, welcome home!" written inside. It was not immediately clear if Ghosn was at the address.

    "It's a good thing that at last he's out of being locked up for something which he may or may not—probably not—have done," the neighbor said.

    Ghosn's wife Carole is now with him in Lebanon at a house with armed guards outside, the New York Times reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.

    Another former Nissan executive, Greg Kelly, was arrested along with Ghosn last year. He remains in Japan facing trial on charges of aiding Ghosn's alleged financial crimes. Kelly has denied any wrongdoing and his wife, from the U.S., last year said he was framed.

    In his statement, Ghosn said he would use his newfound freedom to tell more of his story.

    "I can now finally communicate freely with the media, and look forward to starting next week," he said.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber & Plastics News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber & Plastics News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber & Plastics News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    web
    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Contact the Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • Silicone
      • Latex
      • Coronavirus
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Women in Tire & Rubber
      • ITEC
      • International Elastomer Show
      • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Blogs
      • Products
      • Wacky World of Rubber
    • Newsletters
      • Rubber in Automotive
      • Silicone News
      • Latex News
      • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Multimedia
      • Videos
      • Photo Galleries
    • Directory
    • Resources
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Data
    • Events
      • RPN Events
      • RPN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • ITEC Library
      • International Silicone Conference Library
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION