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Nissan's ex-head Carlos Ghosn in surprise Lebanon arrival Nissan's ex-head Carlos Ghosn flees Japan to Lebanon
(about 3 hours later)
Former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn has reportedly travelled to Lebanon after leaving Japan, media outlets say. Former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn has travelled to Lebanon after leaving Japan, where he faces a trial over allegations of financial misconduct.
One Lebanese official reportedly told AFP news agency that Mr Ghosn "reached Beirut, but it's unclear how he left Japan". In a statement, Mr Ghosn said he had not fled justice but "escaped injustice and political persecution".
Mr Ghosn was arrested over allegations of financial misconduct in 2018 and faces several charges. It is unclear how he managed to leave Japan, where he was arrested in 2018.
He was awaiting trial in Japan and barred from leaving Japan. He denies any wrongdoing. The former CEO was awaiting trial in the country and was barred from travelling abroad under strict bail conditions.
Whether Mr Ghosn has struck a deal with prosecutors or fled is unknown. The businessman holds French and Lebanese passports. Mr Ghosn denies any wrongdoing.
Is Carlos Ghosn in Lebanon? The businessman holds French and Lebanese passports.
While there has yet to be an official announcement, either from Mr Ghosn or the governments involved, many news agencies are reporting that he has arrived in Beirut. What did Carlos Ghosn's statement say?
One of Mr Ghosn's defence team told Japan's public broadcaster NHK that he did not know about his client leaving Japan and was trying to confirm the story. Prosecutors are also trying to find out if he has left Japan, NHK said. Mr Ghosn released a short statement after multiple news agencies reported he had travelled to Lebanon.
French newspaper Les Echos reports that he allegedly arrived in a private jet which flew to Lebanon from Turkey - although this is unconfirmed. Confirming he had gone to the Middle East country, Mr Ghosn said he would "no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system where guilt is presumed, discrimination is rampant, and basic human rights are denied.
And the Wall Street Journal quotes a source who says Mr Ghosn fled Tokyo, amid reports he did not think he could get a fair trial in the country. "I have not fled justice - I have escaped injustice and political persecution. I can now finally communicate freely with the media, and look forward to starting next week."
Mr Ghosn has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing since he was first detained. His lawyers have accused the Japanese government of conspiring against him, calling the prosecution's case "politically motivated".
His wife Carole Ghosn told the BBC in June that authorities sought to "intimidate and humiliate" the couple.His wife Carole Ghosn told the BBC in June that authorities sought to "intimidate and humiliate" the couple.
How he could have left Japan remains unclear. Mr Ghosn was under strict bail conditions as he awaited trial in Japan, such as video surveillance of his home and restricted phone and computer usage.How he could have left Japan remains unclear. Mr Ghosn was under strict bail conditions as he awaited trial in Japan, such as video surveillance of his home and restricted phone and computer usage.
He had to surrender his passports to his lawyer, and had to ask for court permission to travel away from home for more than two nights.He had to surrender his passports to his lawyer, and had to ask for court permission to travel away from home for more than two nights.
Japan's Foreign Minister Keisuke Suzuki visited Beirut on 20 December. But there is no indication he discussed Mr Ghosn's case. According to Japan's Kyodo News agency, the terms of his bail remain unchanged.
What charges does Carlos Ghosn face?What charges does Carlos Ghosn face?
Once considered a hero in Japan for turning around Nissan - even becoming the subject of a Japanese comic book - Mr Ghosn spent 108 days in custody after his arrest in Tokyo in November 2018.Once considered a hero in Japan for turning around Nissan - even becoming the subject of a Japanese comic book - Mr Ghosn spent 108 days in custody after his arrest in Tokyo in November 2018.
Nissan sacked him three days after his arrest.Nissan sacked him three days after his arrest.
Prosecutors allege that he made a multi-million-dollar payment to a Nissan distributor in Oman. Nissan meanwhile has filed its own criminal complaint against Mr Ghosn, accusing him of diverting money from the company for his own personal enrichment.Prosecutors allege that he made a multi-million-dollar payment to a Nissan distributor in Oman. Nissan meanwhile has filed its own criminal complaint against Mr Ghosn, accusing him of diverting money from the company for his own personal enrichment.
He is also accused of under-reporting his own salary.He is also accused of under-reporting his own salary.
But the former Nissan boss has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. His lawyers have accused the Japanese government of conspiring against him, calling the prosecution's case "politically motivated". Mr Ghosn denies all the charges.