Ex-Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn arrived in Beirut on a private jet from Turkey, Lebanese media outlets reported early Monday. A family friend confirmed to the Associated Press that Ghosn arrived in his home country, but offered no further details about his whereabouts.
Ghosn released a statement from Beirut criticizing the Japanese justice system, adding that he plans to further speak to media outlets starting next week. The auto tycoon had been under strict bail conditions in Japan, which included the surrender of his passport and the installation of surveillance cameras outside of his residence, Reuters reported.
“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,” Ghosn said in a statement released by his public relations firm. “I have not fled justice – I have escaped injustice and political persecution.”
Ghosn, who holds French and Lebanese passports, was awaiting trial over financial misconduct allegations in Japan. He was facing charges of hiding income and under-reporting his compensation as Nissan’s chairman.
Ghosn’s attorneys have insisted that the charges are part of a conspiracy to oust Ghosn and prevent a fuller merger with Nissan’s alliance partner Renault SA.
The Associated Press reported Monday that a house known to belong to Ghosn in Beirut “had security guards outside with two lights on.” The report added, “The guards denied he was inside, although one said he was in Lebanon without saying how he knew that.”
There was no immediate comment from officials in Japan or Lebanon.