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Carlos Ghosn likens arrest to Pearl Harbor in first public address since escape Carlos Ghosn likens arrest to Pearl Harbor as he faces media
(32 minutes later)
Runaway former Nissan boss says he is victim of ‘inhumane system of hostage justice’Runaway former Nissan boss says he is victim of ‘inhumane system of hostage justice’
The former Nissan-Renault chair Carlos Ghosn likened his arrest by Japanese prosecutors to Pearl Harbor as he spoke publicly for the first time since his audacious escape from the country. The former Nissan-Renault chair Carlos Ghosn has likened his arrest by Japanese prosecutors to Pearl Harbor as he spoke publicly for the first time since his audacious escape from Japan.
In an animated and lengthy press conference in Beirut, Ghosn blamed an elaborate conspiracy involving Nissan executives and Japanese prosecutors for his prosecution on charges of financial misconduct.In an animated and lengthy press conference in Beirut, Ghosn blamed an elaborate conspiracy involving Nissan executives and Japanese prosecutors for his prosecution on charges of financial misconduct.
It was the first time the one-time giant of the automotive world had addressed the media since his escape from Japan. It was the first time the erstwhile giant of the automotive world had addressed the media since his escape from Japan.
The Frenchman told the packed press conference he had been a victim of an “anachronistic and inhumane system of hostage justice”, pointing to a 99.4% conviction rate in Japan’s justice system. Ghosn told the packed press conference he had been a victim of an “anachronistic and inhumane system of hostage justice”, pointing to a 99.4% conviction rate in Japan’s justice system.
“It’s not hard to come to the conclusion that you’re going to die in Japan, or you’re going to have to get out,” he said. “I did not escape justice, I fled injustice and political persecution.“It’s not hard to come to the conclusion that you’re going to die in Japan, or you’re going to have to get out,” he said. “I did not escape justice, I fled injustice and political persecution.
“I was left with no other choice but to protect myself and my family. A risk one only takes if resigned to the impossibility of a fair trial.”“I was left with no other choice but to protect myself and my family. A risk one only takes if resigned to the impossibility of a fair trial.”
He accused Nissan executives in Japan of colluding with prosecutors and the government in a “systematic campaign by a handful of malevolent actors to destroy my reputation and impugn my character”.He accused Nissan executives in Japan of colluding with prosecutors and the government in a “systematic campaign by a handful of malevolent actors to destroy my reputation and impugn my character”.
The reason for the alleged conspiracy, he said, was Nissan’s declining performance and anger in Japan that Renault, backed by the French state, had greater voting rights in the alliance between the two carmakers.The reason for the alleged conspiracy, he said, was Nissan’s declining performance and anger in Japan that Renault, backed by the French state, had greater voting rights in the alliance between the two carmakers.
He named three executives on the Nissan board, whom he said were “petty, vindictive and lawless” individuals, and said the company had evidence that might exonerate him. He named three executives on the Nissan board whom he said were “petty, vindictive and lawless” individuals, and said the company had evidence that might exonerate him.
And in a comparison certain to enrage commentators in Japan, he compared his surprise arrest to the ambush of the US naval base Pearl Harbor in the second world war.And in a comparison certain to enrage commentators in Japan, he compared his surprise arrest to the ambush of the US naval base Pearl Harbor in the second world war.
Ghosn said he had been a “role model” in Japan for 17 years before he was thrown in jail, where he said he had been kept in solitary confinement in a cell that was lit day and night, interrogated for eight hours a day without a lawyer and denied showers and prescription medication. Ghosn said he had been a “role model” in Japan for 17 years before he was thrown in jail, where he said he had been kept in solitary confinement in a cell that was lit day and night, interrogated for eight hours a day without a lawyer, and denied showers and prescription medication.
“It will get worse for you if you don’t just confess, the prosecutor told me repeatedly,” Ghosn said.“It will get worse for you if you don’t just confess, the prosecutor told me repeatedly,” Ghosn said.
“If you don’t confess, not only will we go after you, we’ll go after your family,” he claims to have been told. “These allegations are untrue and I should never have been arrested in the first place.” “If you don’t confess, not only will we go after you, we’ll go after your family,” he claimed to have been told. “These allegations are untrue and I should never have been arrested in the first place.”
He said he did not want to give details of his escape from Japan, despite widespread interest in reports of an elaborate and complex plan to smuggle him out of the country.He said he did not want to give details of his escape from Japan, despite widespread interest in reports of an elaborate and complex plan to smuggle him out of the country.