Nissan Statement Condemns Carlos Ghosn for Running from Prosecution; Ghosn Claps Back

From Car and Driver

• Former chairman of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance Carlos Ghosn has been reported as arriving in Lebanon, the country where he grew up, after flying there on a private plane.

• Ghosn was not supposed to leave Japan prior to his trial on three sets of charges of financial irregularities.

• Ghosn released a statement via email, as reported by Bloomberg News, claiming his "basic human rights" have been violated by Japanese authorities.

UPDATE 1/7/20, 4:30 p.m.: Carlos Ghosn's defense team sent an emailed statement today, saying Nissan's statement of January 6 (detailed below) is "a gross perversion of the truth" and insisting that Ghosn is the victim of an attempted takedown "to prevent him from further integrating Nissan and Renault." It also said Nissan "never once sought to interview" Ghosn. Meanwhile, a warrant was issued earlier today for the arrest of Ghosn's wife, Carole, on perjury charges. Ghosn's spokespeople have previously said he will hold a news conference on January 8, and we will bring you details of what transpires there.

UPDATE 1/6/20, 8:00 p.m.: Nissan has issued a stern statement calling Carlos Ghosn's unauthorized departure from Japan "extremely regrettable." The automaker says its "thorough internal investigation" found Ghosn was responsible for misconduct as charged by Japan's legal authorities. Nissan also defended having removed him from office, saying he was found "not fit to serve as an executive" because of such acts as underreporting his compensation and using company assets for "his personal benefit." Nissan said it will "continue to do the right thing," which it said is cooperating with judicial and regulatory bodies to continue to hold Ghosn responsible. Carlos Ghosn, through representatives, has said he will hold a press conference from Lebanon on Wednesday, January 8, at which he is likely to respond to this statement.

UPDATE 1/4/20, 11:30 a.m.: Latest news debunks some colorful reports in international media that Carlos Ghosn had escaped from Japan by hiding in a musical-instrument box and that he had previously signed a development deal with Netflix. Reuters reports today that security cameras show the former Nissan chairman simply walked out of his house last Sunday afternoon. The report says he could do that because a private security company that Nissan had hired to watch him had been dismissed on December 29. Ghosn had been planning to sue the company for violating his rights, according to three unnamed sources cited by Reuters. A story in Le Monde in France claiming Ghosn was signed up with Netflix long before the escape is apparently fanciful as well. We will continue to bring updates as they occur.

UPDATE 1/2/20, 12:01 p.m.: Ghosn, through a representative, issued a statement today that reads, in its entirety: "There has been speculation in the media that my wife Carole, and other members of my family played a role in my departure from Japan. All such speculation is inaccurate and false. I alone arranged for my departure. My family had no role whatsoever." Ghosn has announced a press conference to be held on Wednesday, January 8, where he is expected to go into more detail about his impromptu escape from Japanese custody.

Meanwhile, Nikkei reported today that Japan has issued an Interpol "Wanted" alert for Ghosn.