Carlos Ghosn: Escape in double bass case?
LIKE A REAL CRIME The escape of ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn calls for a particularly thrilling script. Convicted of embezzlement in Japan, the authorities there arrested him at the end of 2018. Just one year later, the 66-year-old has now absconded and surprisingly reported from Lebanon. So far, the exact circumstances of the [...]
Just one year later, the 66-year-old has now escaped and surprisingly reported from Lebanon. The exact circumstances of his escape are still unclear. Turkish media report that a private jet arriving from Osaka landed in Istanbul. 45 minutes later, it is said to have continued on to Beirut.
Investigations also by Interpol
Carlos Ghosn apparently had the support of professionals. A group of paramilitaries disguised as musicians, who are said to have smuggled the former Nissan boss out of his house in a double bass case, is also hot on the rumor mill.
Carlos Ghosn denies allegations that his family was involved. He alone organized the escape. The authorities will have to investigate the route he took to reach exile in Lebanon. Interpol is also involved in the case.
No delivery to Japan for the time being
However, it is already clear that he has pulled off a promising coup. Lebanon has no extradition treaty and Carlos Ghosn entered the country legally under Lebanese law - with a French passport and a Lebanese identity card.
The AFP news agency reported that Carlos Ghosn had received special permission from a Japanese court to carry his French passport in a code-secured case. His lawyers are said to have been aware of the encryption. The Public Prosecutor General's Office sees no reason to extradite him to Japan.
Twelve million euros bail
Having previously spent four months in prison, Carlos Ghosn has been allowed to move within Japan since spring 2019 on bail of the equivalent of twelve million euros.
His lawyers had tried until the end to free him from this status by paying bail. They claimed that the former Nissan boss was not a flight risk. Carlos Ghosn himself announced that he wanted to appear before the Japanese court.
Luxury apartments in four countries
Carlos Ghosn is accused of embezzling company funds. Luxury apartments in four countries are said to have been financed with the money. He is also alleged to have understated his own income in his annual financial statements.
The tip of the iceberg is a deal with the car dealer Suhail Bahwan Automobiles (SBA), which received 15 million euros in marketing money from Nissan. A third of the money flowed back into Carlos Ghosn's private account.
Prevention of a takeover
Carlos Ghosn denies the allegations on the grounds that Nissan wanted to throw him out in order to prevent a takeover by the French car manufacturer Renault. His ouster was enforced with the help of high-ranking officials from the Japanese Ministry of Industry and the public prosecutor's office.
Source auto-medienportal.net
