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'A kind of nightmare': Carlos Ghosn's press conference – key points 'A kind of nightmare': Carlos Ghosn's press conference – key points
(32 minutes later)
The former Renault-Nissan boss faced the media for the first time since he fled Japan. Here’s what we learnedThe former Renault-Nissan boss faced the media for the first time since he fled Japan. Here’s what we learned
Carlos Ghosn, the former Renault-Nissan chair, made his long-awaited appearance before the world’s media on Tuesday at a lengthy and often rambling press conference in Beirut. Carlos Ghosn, the former Renault-Nissan chair, made his long-awaited appearance before the world’s media on Wednesday at a lengthy and often rambling press conference in Beirut.
Here are the key points from his appearance.Here are the key points from his appearance.
1) Ghosn blames a conspiracy between Nissan executives and forces within the Japanese government to bring him down. He named former Nissan chief Hiroto Saikawa, whistleblower Hari Nada and board member Masakazu Toyoda, adding:1) Ghosn blames a conspiracy between Nissan executives and forces within the Japanese government to bring him down. He named former Nissan chief Hiroto Saikawa, whistleblower Hari Nada and board member Masakazu Toyoda, adding:
He refused to name which government officials were to blame, beyond appearing to absolve PM Shinzo Abe.He refused to name which government officials were to blame, beyond appearing to absolve PM Shinzo Abe.
2) Japan’s judicial system is in the spotlight. Ghosn criticised the Japanese legal culture of securing criminal convictions through confessions.2) Japan’s judicial system is in the spotlight. Ghosn criticised the Japanese legal culture of securing criminal convictions through confessions.
Accusing the Japanese justice system of attempting to destroy his life, Ghosn said:Accusing the Japanese justice system of attempting to destroy his life, Ghosn said:
3) Ghosn claims he has proof that he is innocent. Reporters were shown some documents which allegedly explain away the $11m (£8.4m) of expense payments that form part of the criminal case against him.3) Ghosn claims he has proof that he is innocent. Reporters were shown some documents which allegedly explain away the $11m (£8.4m) of expense payments that form part of the criminal case against him.
He also produced a letter approving the houses bought for the Ghosn family, signed by Saikawa.He also produced a letter approving the houses bought for the Ghosn family, signed by Saikawa.
Ghosn said he planned to prove his innocence.Ghosn said he planned to prove his innocence.
4) Ghosn has probably burned his bridges in Japan. Savaging the Tokyo prosecutor is one thing. But citing Pearl Harbor as an example of Japanese cunning and secrecy was diplomatically damaging.4) Ghosn has probably burned his bridges in Japan. Savaging the Tokyo prosecutor is one thing. But citing Pearl Harbor as an example of Japanese cunning and secrecy was diplomatically damaging.
Ghosn’s point was that he didn’t spot how his one-time allies were plotting to oust him, to break Renault’s control over Nissan – and scupper a planned merged with Fiat-Crysler. But still, it was an awkward analogy that will distract from his claims of innocence.Ghosn’s point was that he didn’t spot how his one-time allies were plotting to oust him, to break Renault’s control over Nissan – and scupper a planned merged with Fiat-Crysler. But still, it was an awkward analogy that will distract from his claims of innocence.
5) He is devoted to Mrs Ghosn. Ghosn joked that he missed his wife badly when he was trapped in Japan, even if others might not.5) He is devoted to Mrs Ghosn. Ghosn joked that he missed his wife badly when he was trapped in Japan, even if others might not.
6) Lebanon might not be as safe as he had hoped. Fleeing to Beirut looked like a cunning plan, as there’s no extradition treaty with Japan. But there is a law banning travel to Israel, which Ghosn has broken in the past.6) Lebanon might not be as safe as he had hoped. Fleeing to Beirut looked like a cunning plan, as there’s no extradition treaty with Japan. But there is a law banning travel to Israel, which Ghosn has broken in the past.
Beirut’s prosecutor wants to discuss this with Ghosn on Thursday, alongside the red notice issued by Interpol for his arrest.Beirut’s prosecutor wants to discuss this with Ghosn on Thursday, alongside the red notice issued by Interpol for his arrest.
7) Exact details of Ghosn’s great escape from Tokyo, particularly whether he was smuggled on to a plane inside a music case, will remain a mystery – for now. On this point, he remained tightlipped. But he could be saving it for the film version of the entire caper (although he denied that there was a deal in place with Netflix).7) Exact details of Ghosn’s great escape from Tokyo, particularly whether he was smuggled on to a plane inside a music case, will remain a mystery – for now. On this point, he remained tightlipped. But he could be saving it for the film version of the entire caper (although he denied that there was a deal in place with Netflix).