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Carlos Ghosn Defends His Decision to Flee Japan: Live Updates Carlos Ghosn Attacks Japan and Nissan in Defense of His Escape: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
For the first time since he fled Japan more than a week ago, Carlos Ghosn is telling his story to the public.For the first time since he fled Japan more than a week ago, Carlos Ghosn is telling his story to the public.
Mr. Ghosn, the former head of an auto empire that spanned continents, was facing charges of financial wrongdoing and had been under house arrest in Tokyo since spring. On Wednesday, at a news conference in Beirut, the Lebanese capital city where he has since taken refuge, Mr. Ghosn portrayed himself as the victim of a rigged justice system and a corporate coup by disloyal underlings.Mr. Ghosn, the former head of an auto empire that spanned continents, was facing charges of financial wrongdoing and had been under house arrest in Tokyo since spring. On Wednesday, at a news conference in Beirut, the Lebanese capital city where he has since taken refuge, Mr. Ghosn portrayed himself as the victim of a rigged justice system and a corporate coup by disloyal underlings.
Mr. Ghosn began his speech as if he were giving a corporate presentation, promising a point-by-point defense. It looked as if he were set to draw on his background as a detail-oriented chief executive to sell another product: himself. Nearly an hour into the news conference, Mr. Ghosn had not taken a single question from the reporters who gathered in Beirut hoping to hear an account of his escape.
Instead, he has focused on detailing his legal defense, outlining the minutiae of the case against him and discussing specific emails and statements to prosecutors, complete with a presentation of documents to support his argument. The documents were full of highlighted bullet points and red outlines. But there was a problem: The text was too small for anyone in the room to read.
He noted that both of his companies have fared worse without him. “By the way, the market cap decrease of Nissan is more than $10 billion,” he says. “By the way Renault is not better. … The market cap of Renault went down by more than $5 billion.”
“As a shareholder of Nissan, I say who is protecting me,” he said.
At times he sounded like he was addressing a corporate board, not a global television audience. His soliloquy on corporate finance got deep into the weeds of how Nissan accounted for compensation and corporate expenses.
Mr. Ghosn began his speech as if he were giving a corporate presentation, promising a point-by-point defense and projecting documents on to a screen. It looked as if he were set to draw on his background as a detail-oriented chief executive to sell another product: himself.
But he soon began to ramble, jumping from descriptions of his treatment by Japanese prosecutors to his theory that his arrest was the work of Nissan executives. Mr. Ghosn said he thought his arrest was motivated by the fact that Nissan’s performance had begun to decline.But he soon began to ramble, jumping from descriptions of his treatment by Japanese prosecutors to his theory that his arrest was the work of Nissan executives. Mr. Ghosn said he thought his arrest was motivated by the fact that Nissan’s performance had begun to decline.
“The collusion between Nissan and the prosecutor is everywhere,” he said.“The collusion between Nissan and the prosecutor is everywhere,” he said.
Soon Mr. Ghosn turned back to the treatment of his family. And, he said, the charge of underreporting income isn’t one that should have landed him in jail.
“By not allowing me to have a normal life, they were breaking me,” he said. “There is no democratic country I know where you go to jail for these kinds of accusations, even if they were right,” he said.
He was unable to speak with his wife, Carole, for months. “I was not a human anymore,” he said. “I was something between a human, an animal and an object.”
Since his arrest, Mr. Ghosn and his family have denounced the Japanese justice system, arguing that the former auto executive has been a victim of “injustice and political persecution.” His comments followed a similar line.Since his arrest, Mr. Ghosn and his family have denounced the Japanese justice system, arguing that the former auto executive has been a victim of “injustice and political persecution.” His comments followed a similar line.
“I have not experienced a moment of freedom since Nov. 19, 2018,” he told the room of reporters. “It is impossible to express the depth of the aggravation and my profound appreciation once again to be able to be reunited with my family and loved ones.”“I have not experienced a moment of freedom since Nov. 19, 2018,” he told the room of reporters. “It is impossible to express the depth of the aggravation and my profound appreciation once again to be able to be reunited with my family and loved ones.”
Mr. Ghosn defended his decision to flee Japan rather than face trial. “It was the most difficult decision of my life,” he said.Mr. Ghosn defended his decision to flee Japan rather than face trial. “It was the most difficult decision of my life,” he said.
“I did not escape justice. I fled injustice and political persecution,” he added. “I was left with no other choice but to protect myself and my family.”“I did not escape justice. I fled injustice and political persecution,” he added. “I was left with no other choice but to protect myself and my family.”
Mr. Ghosn also assailed his treatment by prosecutors.Mr. Ghosn also assailed his treatment by prosecutors.
“It will be over if you just confess,” he said, recalling what Japanese officials told him. “If you don’t confess, not only are we going to go after you, we are going to go after your family.”“It will be over if you just confess,” he said, recalling what Japanese officials told him. “If you don’t confess, not only are we going to go after you, we are going to go after your family.”
And he told reporters that he was not planning to “talk about how I managed to escape from Japan.”And he told reporters that he was not planning to “talk about how I managed to escape from Japan.”
“I am here to talk about why I left,” he said.“I am here to talk about why I left,” he said.
Mr. Ghosn walked with his wife, Carole, into a frenzy of cameramen in a plain white conference room in Beirut, with a burst of flash bulbs going off. Organizers were pleading with the cameramen to back off. A burly, bearded bodyguard stood next to Mr. Ghosn at the lectern.Mr. Ghosn walked with his wife, Carole, into a frenzy of cameramen in a plain white conference room in Beirut, with a burst of flash bulbs going off. Organizers were pleading with the cameramen to back off. A burly, bearded bodyguard stood next to Mr. Ghosn at the lectern.
Before he emerged, more than 100 journalists from across the world had jostled to get inside the conference room at the Lebanese Press Syndicate. A security team checked IDs and bags, and Lebanese reporters interviewed their Japanese counterparts about Mr. Ghosn’s escape from Tokyo.Before he emerged, more than 100 journalists from across the world had jostled to get inside the conference room at the Lebanese Press Syndicate. A security team checked IDs and bags, and Lebanese reporters interviewed their Japanese counterparts about Mr. Ghosn’s escape from Tokyo.
Then the power briefly went out, as is wont to happen in Lebanon, where daily power cuts force the population to rely on private generators.Then the power briefly went out, as is wont to happen in Lebanon, where daily power cuts force the population to rely on private generators.
Mr. Ghosn, 65, a celebrity in Japan and a hero to many in Lebanon, oversaw a turnaround at Nissan starting in the late 1990s and had the rare position of running two major companies simultaneously: Nissan and France’s Renault.Mr. Ghosn, 65, a celebrity in Japan and a hero to many in Lebanon, oversaw a turnaround at Nissan starting in the late 1990s and had the rare position of running two major companies simultaneously: Nissan and France’s Renault.
Born in Brazil and raised in Lebanon, Mr. Ghosn attended some of France’s best schools, the Lycée Saint-Louis and the École Polytechnique. He started his career at the tire maker Michelin and became head of the company’s North American operations. He lived in Greenville, S.C., before joining Renault as an executive in the 1990s.Born in Brazil and raised in Lebanon, Mr. Ghosn attended some of France’s best schools, the Lycée Saint-Louis and the École Polytechnique. He started his career at the tire maker Michelin and became head of the company’s North American operations. He lived in Greenville, S.C., before joining Renault as an executive in the 1990s.
But his career collapsed in late 2018, when he was arrested by the Japanese authorities and later charged with underreporting his compensation and shifting personal financial losses to Nissan. Nissan had also been indicted on charges of improperly reporting Mr. Ghosn’s income — and had said it would cooperate with prosecutors.But his career collapsed in late 2018, when he was arrested by the Japanese authorities and later charged with underreporting his compensation and shifting personal financial losses to Nissan. Nissan had also been indicted on charges of improperly reporting Mr. Ghosn’s income — and had said it would cooperate with prosecutors.
Throughout the more than 13 months since he was first arrested, Mr. Ghosn has denied any wrongdoing.Throughout the more than 13 months since he was first arrested, Mr. Ghosn has denied any wrongdoing.
Mr. Ghosn’s escape late last month seemed to be written by Hollywood screenwriters — and, in fact, the fallen auto executive met with a Hollywood producer before his escape.Mr. Ghosn’s escape late last month seemed to be written by Hollywood screenwriters — and, in fact, the fallen auto executive met with a Hollywood producer before his escape.
Accompanied by a former United States Green Beret turned security consultant, Mr. Ghosn was flown from Osaka to Istanbul and then to Beirut, evading authorities in at least two countries and crossing borders.Accompanied by a former United States Green Beret turned security consultant, Mr. Ghosn was flown from Osaka to Istanbul and then to Beirut, evading authorities in at least two countries and crossing borders.
After his arrest in Japan, Mr. Ghosn was held for more than 100 days, after which he was in and out of jail. He was released after he posted bail and agreed to strict conditions: He could not leave Tokyo, and his movements would be monitored, although he was not required to wear an ankle bracelet.After his arrest in Japan, Mr. Ghosn was held for more than 100 days, after which he was in and out of jail. He was released after he posted bail and agreed to strict conditions: He could not leave Tokyo, and his movements would be monitored, although he was not required to wear an ankle bracelet.
After he was arrested again in April, prosecutors imposed another condition for his release: Mr. Ghosn was forbidden from communicating with his wife. For seven months, the two did not speak a word to each other.After he was arrested again in April, prosecutors imposed another condition for his release: Mr. Ghosn was forbidden from communicating with his wife. For seven months, the two did not speak a word to each other.
No official account of how Mr. Ghosn escaped has emerged yet. But reporting by The New York Times and news media in multiple countries has revealed a basic outline of what likely took place.No official account of how Mr. Ghosn escaped has emerged yet. But reporting by The New York Times and news media in multiple countries has revealed a basic outline of what likely took place.
On the afternoon of Dec. 29, he walked out of his home in Tokyo and took a bullet train to Osaka, about 340 miles southwest of the capital. Then he boarded a corporate jet at Kansai International Airport, hidden inside a box designed for concert equipment. He landed at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, switched planes and flew to Beirut.On the afternoon of Dec. 29, he walked out of his home in Tokyo and took a bullet train to Osaka, about 340 miles southwest of the capital. Then he boarded a corporate jet at Kansai International Airport, hidden inside a box designed for concert equipment. He landed at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, switched planes and flew to Beirut.
The escape plan was months in the making: A team of operatives spent hundreds of thousands of dollars scoping out airports and other entry points in at least five countries before settling on Turkey as a stopover between Japan and Lebanon.The escape plan was months in the making: A team of operatives spent hundreds of thousands of dollars scoping out airports and other entry points in at least five countries before settling on Turkey as a stopover between Japan and Lebanon.
Mr. Ghosn was aided in the escape by Michael Taylor, a former member of an Army Special Forces team who had ties to Lebanon and accompanied him on the plane from Japan to Turkey.Mr. Ghosn was aided in the escape by Michael Taylor, a former member of an Army Special Forces team who had ties to Lebanon and accompanied him on the plane from Japan to Turkey.
The authorities entered the offices of Carlos Ghosn’s lawyers in Japan with a search warrant on Wednesday, more than a week after the fallen auto executive publicly announced that he had fled the country.The authorities entered the offices of Carlos Ghosn’s lawyers in Japan with a search warrant on Wednesday, more than a week after the fallen auto executive publicly announced that he had fled the country.
But the law firm of Junichiro Hironaka, Mr. Ghosn’s top lawyer in Japan, said that lawyers kept the authorities from confiscating two computers that Mr. Ghosn had used.But the law firm of Junichiro Hironaka, Mr. Ghosn’s top lawyer in Japan, said that lawyers kept the authorities from confiscating two computers that Mr. Ghosn had used.
In a written statement, Mr. Hironaka’s office said that six officials from the Tokyo prosecutors’ office arrived with a search warrant in the morning looking for the computers. The authorities left empty-handed, Mr. Hironaka’s office said. The computers belong to the lawyers and contain private client information, it said.In a written statement, Mr. Hironaka’s office said that six officials from the Tokyo prosecutors’ office arrived with a search warrant in the morning looking for the computers. The authorities left empty-handed, Mr. Hironaka’s office said. The computers belong to the lawyers and contain private client information, it said.
“This is related to personal confidentiality,” the statement said. “Therefore, there is an evident case to refuse seizure.”“This is related to personal confidentiality,” the statement said. “Therefore, there is an evident case to refuse seizure.”
The firm’s depiction of events could not be confirmed through the prosecutors, who declined to comment. Television footage showed them leaving with their satchels but without cases or boxes.The firm’s depiction of events could not be confirmed through the prosecutors, who declined to comment. Television footage showed them leaving with their satchels but without cases or boxes.
As a condition of his bail, Mr. Ghosn has been limited to going online only while in his lawyer’s office. Japanese officials are investigating how Mr. Ghosn fled from Japan on Dec. 29, where he faces criminal charges of financial wrongdoing while overseeing the Nissan-Renault Mitsubishi auto alliance.As a condition of his bail, Mr. Ghosn has been limited to going online only while in his lawyer’s office. Japanese officials are investigating how Mr. Ghosn fled from Japan on Dec. 29, where he faces criminal charges of financial wrongdoing while overseeing the Nissan-Renault Mitsubishi auto alliance.
Carole Ghosn, a critic of husband's treatment in Japan, is now herself a target of the Japanese authorities.Carole Ghosn, a critic of husband's treatment in Japan, is now herself a target of the Japanese authorities.
On Tuesday, prosecutors in Tokyo said they had obtained an arrest warrant for Mrs. Ghosn, 53, on suspicion of giving false testimony in the case nine months ago. She responded on Tuesday in an interview with the French newspaper Le Parisien, calling the arrest warrant “an act of revenge by the prosecutors” meant to put pressure on Mr. Ghosn. “They announced it just before the conference,” she said, “hoping to put pressure on my husband and to punish me once again.”On Tuesday, prosecutors in Tokyo said they had obtained an arrest warrant for Mrs. Ghosn, 53, on suspicion of giving false testimony in the case nine months ago. She responded on Tuesday in an interview with the French newspaper Le Parisien, calling the arrest warrant “an act of revenge by the prosecutors” meant to put pressure on Mr. Ghosn. “They announced it just before the conference,” she said, “hoping to put pressure on my husband and to punish me once again.”
The warrant raised questions about whether Mrs. Ghosn, a dual citizen of Lebanon and the United States who is in Beirut with her husband, would be extradited to Japan if she took an American trip. That outcome is far from assured.The warrant raised questions about whether Mrs. Ghosn, a dual citizen of Lebanon and the United States who is in Beirut with her husband, would be extradited to Japan if she took an American trip. That outcome is far from assured.
The United States has an extradition treaty with Japan, but it has been rare for the American authorities to send back citizens to Japan. American officials would require Japan to prove before a federal magistrate that it had probable cause of a crime.The United States has an extradition treaty with Japan, but it has been rare for the American authorities to send back citizens to Japan. American officials would require Japan to prove before a federal magistrate that it had probable cause of a crime.
The thornier problem for Japanese officials for now, however, is that Mrs. Ghosn is in Lebanon with her husband.The thornier problem for Japanese officials for now, however, is that Mrs. Ghosn is in Lebanon with her husband.
“The United States is not really in a position to help because she is not here,” said Joshua Dratel, a New York criminal defense lawyer who has worked on numerous extradition cases. “It’s really up to Lebanon as to what to do. If she were to leave, she would be in jeopardy as a U.S. citizen.”“The United States is not really in a position to help because she is not here,” said Joshua Dratel, a New York criminal defense lawyer who has worked on numerous extradition cases. “It’s really up to Lebanon as to what to do. If she were to leave, she would be in jeopardy as a U.S. citizen.”
At his news conference, standing before a room of more than a hundred journalists and supporters, Mr. Ghosn received applause after thanking his wife for her support.At his news conference, standing before a room of more than a hundred journalists and supporters, Mr. Ghosn received applause after thanking his wife for her support.