INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A well-known businessman awaiting trial in Japan on charges of financial misconduct has fled to Lebanon - defying an overseas travel
ban.Carlos Ghosn, the former chairman of Nissan, says he is not escaping justice, but instead wants to avoid "injustice and political
persecution".The 65-year-old's abrupt departure is likely to raise questions given how his bail conditions had included surrendering his
passport to the Japanese authorities.Image:Ghosn was told he could not speak to his wife Carole without court permissionProsecutors speaking
anonymously to Japanese media say they are unsure how he managed to leave the country while under surveillance, with his movements and
communications constantly monitored.In a statement, Ghosn said: "I am now in Lebanon and will no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese
justice system where guilt is presumed, discrimination is rampant, and basic human rights are denied, in flagrant disregard of Japan's legal
obligations under international law and treaties it is bound to uphold."Japan does not have an extradition treaty with Lebanon, and it is
unclear what steps authorities might take to pursue his extradition.Ghosn is of Lebanese origin, as is his wife Carole
The bail conditions stated that he was forbidden from meeting her - but recently, a court ruled they could communicate via video
calls.According to the Financial Times, Ghosn was not under house arrest when he flew to Lebanon - and the newspaper reported that it is
unclear whether he had escaped or whether a deal had been reached.However, it seems his departure took prosecutors and his own defence team
by surprise.Ghosn's own lawyer has branded his client's behaviour "inexcusable".Ghosn, who also presided over an alliance between the
Japanese car maker and France's Renault, is accused of understating his salary while leading Nissan, transferring personal financial losses
to his employer, and diverting Nissan money to enrich himself.In April, he lashed out at ex-colleagues, accusing them in a video of
backstabbing and conspiring against him.Mr Ghosn claimed some "selfish" executives had "really played a very dirty game" and insisted he was
innocent of all charges.He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing - accusing Japanese authorities of trumping up charges to prevent a
potential merger between Nissan and Renault.Arrested in November 2018, Ghosn was expected to face trial this coming April.The charges he
faces carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
