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Ghosn, in Lebanon, says he left Japan to avoid 'injustice and political persecution'

128 Comments
By Christian Lowe and Tim Kelly

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128 Comments

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Predictable outcome for a super-rich man with the means to do such things, but who can fault Ghosn for not trusting the Japanese legal system after what he experienced over the past year plus?

I don't ever want to get arrested anywhere (and I never have, thank goodness), but I really don't want to ever get arrested in Japan. If a super-rich guy like Ghosn found himself in a weird Kafkaesque situation then ordinary non-rich people like myself don't stand a chance once arrested by the Japanese police.

45 ( +50 / -5 )

Japanese sources say Ghosn used a private jet. I guess Japanese side knew and overlooked his exodus. Trials take a lot of time in Japan. It is a big waste for Ghosn for his life. I am glad for Ghosn he returned to Lebanon.

37 ( +47 / -10 )

Now the prosecutors should charge former CEO Hiroto Saikawa and screw his life up.

But because he is Japanese they will let him squirm and wriggle as a free man.

Ghosen guilty or innocent was never going to get the chance to show the truth, the whole thing was a contrived pantomine.

Every foreigner here needs to take note of the way Ghosen was treated, his fame, position, money and everyhting else could not protect him, save him or give him a fair hearing, Japan does not care about your rights or treatment. Make asure you toe the line or you may also get your rights abused.

35 ( +41 / -6 )

He is a fugitive, if NHK's reports are true. How exciting! I'm waiting for his expose interview, where he names the two Nissan execs who ratted him out - and then received plea bargains.

No big mystery of his flight out. Small, private plane, leaving in the predawn hours and arriving in a friendly country that will protect him no matter what. I imagine the crew and everyone else involved will never be able to come back to Japan, unless they want to be arrested. Maybe he used a decoy to throw Japan's bumbling cops off the trail as he headed to the air field.

30 ( +31 / -1 )

If true then the Japanese authorities probably turned a blind eye and let him 'escape'. The trial might well have been very embarrassing for the government and revealed how corrupt the system is. Considering the conditions it's hard to see another alternative.

30 ( +36 / -6 )

I can't wait to see the movie they make of this. :)

27 ( +27 / -0 )

Chartering a plane is not that hard if you can pay for it, I charter them for cargo with some frequency, BUT getting a person on a plane you need to go through a fair bit of red tape so I suspect one of two things:

The govt LET him go as they saw they were going to have been hits with lots of egg during a trial

Or he got a passport under a different name & snuck out

My bet is on the former, but the govt wont likely admit it

27 ( +28 / -1 )

The first case would suggest he just has had enough of Draconia Inc laws and saw no light here.

While Ghosn is waiting for his trial he has seen no one from Japan Post scandal and Kansai Power being arrested at all. No light for him in Japan.

27 ( +27 / -0 )

Ha! Ghosn's team seems well aware that Japan basically shuts down over the Shogatsu holiday. His minders were doubtless distracted while eating mochi and watching "variety" TV programs with their relatives out in the countryside. LOL.

The world is learning that not only is Japan's criminal justice system oppressive and grossly unfair, but incompetent as well, if it cant' keep tabs on its most famous suspect.

27 ( +28 / -1 )

Waiting for his defenders on JT to come tell us how the innocents always flee

In a rigged system, yes, the innocent do flee.

The process he has been subjected to is a total farce that has progressed with little seeming concern for anything but making sure he is found guilty of something, anything, to justify the stupid decision to arrest him at the apparent bequest of rival Nissan execs who wanted him gone.

Well, they got what they wanted.

26 ( +28 / -2 )

He is a fugitive now. Interpol would send him back to Japan someday for his unfinished trial.

Lebanon has no extradition treaty with Japan and he holds a Lebanese passport. He will never be extradited to Japan and he certainly is not going to go back voluntarily.

25 ( +25 / -0 )

Ghosn is gone !!! I'd have thought breaking out of Alcatraz is much easier than breaking out of Japan !!! Quite a feat I'd say. Yet, I can't help but think that the authorities, in some kind of hush-hush deal, might have chosen to look away, especially given that , other Nissan honchos have been found wanting every day !! It all begun looking like a judicio- corporate circus !!!

24 ( +26 / -2 )

Cogito, I agree that there are two possibilities: He was smuggled out; or the Japanese authorities, wanting to wash their hands of this fiasco, turned a blind eye.

If Ghosn does address the press, that will be required viewing.

24 ( +24 / -0 )

How in the heck did Ghosn get out of Japan?!

I know Ghosn is rich and has access to private jets.

However, flying private jets in and out of Japan is no cakewalk. If this was unauthorized, then a few people on the Japanese side screwed up big time!

I mean, even private jet users have to get screened by immigration authorities.

I can't wait to see what the details are.

This case will make an awesome corporate intrigue movie at some point!!

24 ( +24 / -0 )

Is it that easy to leave this country? I think not. This way everyone gets what they wanted. Ghosn is free, the nasty trial that could have dug up many skeletons wont happen, and Japan can still claim he is a criminal. Easy peasy!

24 ( +24 / -0 )

All these comments about Interpol and extradition ignore one point: the Japanese government must first request it. Methinks the last thing the government wants is Ghosn spouting while on trial. They won't make the request.

22 ( +25 / -3 )

I was never able to find a coherent description of his alleged crimes. The “underreporting of income” would seem to imply tax evasion, but that was never a charge. Thus I tend to believe he was caught up in a political mess.

21 ( +23 / -2 )

Waiting for his defenders on JT to come tell us how the innocents always flee

Uh, okaaaay. It's potentially no different than someone accused of "chikan" running away. The moment you agree to remain and speak to authorities, you're done. Not saying Ghosn is innocent, but considering how he has been treated, I can't blame him.

20 ( +24 / -4 )

 How did he even manage to escape with all the safe guards in place. Someones head is going to roll.

no heads will roll, it'll be bow and a apology and maybe a resignation, then back to business as usual for J Inc

19 ( +20 / -1 )

Anyway you look at it, it has certainly become a lot more interesting!

18 ( +18 / -0 )

Come on now, they knew he was going to leave.

18 ( +18 / -0 )

Wow! Thats quite an exciting plot twist.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

Strange story. Possibly true but we will have to wait.

And agree with others, that if in fact he is in Beirut, the only probable scenarios are he "deceptively escaped" or he was "allowed to escape".

The first case would suggest he just has had enough of Draconia Inc laws and saw no light here.

The 2nd case would suggest that with his planned trial looming (April?), J. Inc - wishing to avoid the spotlight on it's highly questionable judicial system by World Media Inc just before the Mario  Olympics - went to get a coffee and forgot to check.

ATM we don't know - but curiouser and curiouser.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

Wow, this is interesting......wasn't expecting this, wonder if it will turn out to be true!

15 ( +15 / -0 )

As long as he returned his alien card?

15 ( +15 / -0 )

As long as he returned his alien card?

maybe hell post to to the J prosecutors along with a Japanese new years card.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

While Ghosn had the system rigged against him, prosecutors can claim they were right to argue against his bail.

He will also forfeit the 13 million in bail money.

Ghosn chose a non-extradition country, which suggests he has no plan to return to Japan. But on the other hand, he is now free to blow the lid on the whole mess.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

@Kwatt

Interpol would send him back to Japan someday for his unfinished trial.

Japan doesn’t respect international rules when it comes to Japanese nationals so why would anybody cooperate with them?

13 ( +16 / -3 )

With another 80 persons at Nissan suspected of financial misbehaviour, according to their former audit chief Christina Murray, this may be the easiest way to sweep the whole sordid affair under the table, and get back to business.

She made a list of 80 Nissan employees she believed enabled alleged wrongdoing by former Chairman Carlos Ghosn and planned to create a committee to consider disciplining them, but Nissan quashed her plan after a leading target said it wasn’t necessary, according to an internal email and people familiar with the decision. (Source WSJ)

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Congratulations to Ghosn on his escape from hell. The only thing which surprises me is that he didn’t escape much earlier. The J court would have found him guilty and given him 10 to 15 years whatever the evidence. They had to to save face.

Why aren’t all the other numerous corrupt J officials locked up?? Because they are Japanese, they get a free pass of course.

No way to get a fair trial in Japan. His escape is great news!

Congratulations Ghosn!!

12 ( +18 / -6 )

Comments on other websites (not based in Japan) about this story are often downright hilarious. One commenter wrote: "How $%&@# up must one’s life be when, 'Flee to Lebanon,' is the best option?" Good one!

Speaking of which, one notorious Japanese citizen is reportedly still living in Lebanon: Kozo Okamoto, the lone surviving Japanese Red Army member who carried out (along with 2 fellow Japanese who were killed) the massacre of 26 civilians at Lod Airport in Tel Aviv in 1972. The Japanese government would like him back in Japan to be put on trial, but Lebanon's government won't ever hand over a man who is seen as a hero for carrying out a terrorist attack on Israeli territory.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

kwatt "He is a fugitive now. Interpol would send him back to Japan someday for his unfinished trial."

Lebanon is not a participant of Interpol and refuses to recognize their authority within their borders. Research goes a long way.

Also, Japan and Lebanon do not have an extradition treaty as refuses their citizens to be persecuted by kangaroo courts and a draconian legal system based on Edo medieval torture.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

Taken off a private jet in handcuffs, flies out in one waving the middle finger salute. What an epic saga this has all been. Made the choice to not live the next ten or so years in a forced, awkward and frustrating state of limbo. Can’t blame him at all, be interesting to find out how he got out.

Fortune does indeed favor the brave.

The harder the Japanese government and judiciary push for his return now, the harder and bolder Ghosn will become with his side of the story. Something that they've tried desperately to shut down.

the Saga continues. What a story ay! Happy new year folks! Hehe

Freedom fries janakutte, freedom flies!

11 ( +14 / -3 )

I hope his wife was at the Lebanon airport to greet him when he landed.

Japanese justice system...see comments above.

Jiro is still holding that reservation for Ghosn, I hear.

Happy New Year and Best Escape Ever, Mr. Ghosn.

10 ( +15 / -5 )

LOL. I agree with those who think he was 'allowed' by prosecution to escape to avoid the trial, this way the mess disappears for the Govt, sure there may be some uncomfortable things said by Ghosn, but he's overseas now and the Govt can control the local news, he never comes back to Japan, JCorp continues on as always.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

dear kwatt, japanese prosecutors routinely do things like that, its just you dont hear about it.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

This actually brought a smile to my face. Looking forward to that press conference!

But Japan will just say that it's a lie and will never back down from that. Even though there will be overwhelming evidence to disprove Japan's claim.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

The most high-profile prosecution in Japan in decades, and authorities can't keep him in the country? Right....

Japanese authorities are probably breathing a sigh of relief. Who knows? Maybe they were even complicit in creating the opening for Ghosn's escape. They look a little bad now for allowing Ghosn to slip out of the country, but that bit of egg on the face now is no comparison to how badly the authorities would have looked had this gone to trial.

Prosecutors went after Ghosn with the help of Nissan insiders. Ghosn was certainly dirty, but no more so than the Nissan insiders who wanted to oust him. Ghosn's arrest and prosecution was a corporate power play, aided by public authorities.

Of course, now there is the distinct possibility that Ghosn walks all over Japanese prosecutors with reams of evidence showing that Nissan as a company (along with many of the people working with authorities) is more guilty than Ghosn as an individual. Still, if prosecutors were facing up to a real likelihood of losing the case in a highly publicized trial, any dirt that Ghosn leaks is still less embarrassing than the government losing in court would be. Ghosn's exit at least leaves a question mark hanging over the matter, not a complete repudiation of prosecutors' actions.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

I can t blame the guy for running. Clearly, he could not expect a fair trial here.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

I can't say I blame Carlos Ghosn for escaping Japan. The country is not a safe place for foreign executives and Ghosn is not the first one to have orchestrated his escape. It was just a few years ago that Michael Woodford, the former president of Japanese firm Olympus, fled Japan fearing for his life. He described the conditions of his escape from Japan in his 2012 book titled "Exposure"

Seeing Olympus scandal and then followed by Toshiba, we can see how justice in Japan is being served to those Japanese company executives in comparison with Ghosn.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

His lawyer's career is probably over now.

I can't believe that his lawyer was involved. Surely he's too smart to go along in any way with Ghosn leaving. But one thing is for sure - the lawyer won't be having a relaxing oshogatsu.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

"I'm just going to pop out to the conbini..."

9 ( +9 / -0 )

They will never give it up until he is convicted.

unfortunately they may be waiting a long time as Lebanon isnt a country that willing gives up its citizens to others, Im guessing itll take a lot of concessions for the Japanese government until they even consider it.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

The guy is a near hero, saved Nissan, then ratted out by co-workers who were doing exactly the same but got to bow say sorry. He had months of detention, couldn't see his wife while on bail waiting for a trail that's results were already decided. Olymipcs this year(next) wouldn't break and admit, no confession total confusion by prosecutors.

Was probably driven to the airport in a Toyota Crown with lace head rests, and government plates.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

I have not fled justice – I have escaped injustice and political persecution.

This is correct! He is one of the lucky ones who has the resources to do so.

-- Must reside in Tokyo.

-- Cannot travel abroad; must surrender passport to his lawyer.

-- Needs court permission to go on a trip of more than two nights.

-- Must install surveillance cameras at the entrances of his residence.

-- Prohibited from accessing the internet and using e-mail.

-- Can only use a personal computer at his lawyer's office that is not connected to the internet.

-- Banned from communicating with parties involved in the case.

-- Needs court's permission to attend a Nissan board meeting.

-- Banned from contacting Nissan managers.

They left out the part about him not being able to communicate with his wife and family.

This shows clearly just how messed up the Japanese justice system is. He was arrested on a complaint made by another executive and thrown in jail while the Japanese lawyers gather evidence to prove his guilt. He was not guilty of anything until he skipped bail. However, he has been stripped of all his civil liberties.

It will be interesting to see how the Japanese prosecutors react to this. They'll be onto Interpol trying to get him on their hit list.

9 ( +13 / -4 )

Good for him !

9 ( +12 / -3 )

what a twist . . . . . . can,t wait for the next episode . . . . . .

8 ( +8 / -0 )

escaped is really bad, however, under japan jurisdiction system one has no choice but

to escape. congrats for his safe landing.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Didn't he say (at least once) that he was looking forward to his day in court so that he could prove his innocence?

8 ( +9 / -1 )

I can't say I blame Carlos Ghosn for escaping Japan. The country is not a safe place for foreign executives and Ghosn is not the first one to have orchestrated his escape. It was just a few years ago that Michael Woodford, the former president of Japanese firm Olympus, fled Japan fearing for his life. He described the conditions of his escape from Japan in his 2012 book titled "Exposure".

Accounts of Ghosn's escape from his barbaric treatment in Japan will be even more interesting and should serve as a warning to other foreign executives who may be planning to work in Japan.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

The plot thickens!!!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

He doesn't have any strong ties in Japan like wife or children so he made such move.

Though I disagree with his move to flee the country I hope that all this drama will bring an international spot light of the inadequate and inhuman criminal system that Japan is still using.

If they want to be part of the industrialized nations they have also embrace full democracy and human rights.

I don't think that Japan will have a change by heart but knowing how much they care about their international reputation it might milder their draconian inquisitions.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

May Mr Ghosn and his family truly have a HAPPY NEW YEAR! No longer a political prisoner of the Japanese INjustice system!

7 ( +13 / -6 )

Good for Ghosn! I don't know if he's guilty or not.... but I didn't like how he was initially treated. I see so many corrupt Japanese executives not spend a day in Jail while Ghosn was sitting in one for months. His own company brought him up on charges..... that never happens in Japan.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

I wonder how this will affect bail applicants of less substantial means. Negatively would be my guess.

I'm pretty sure that such considerations never crossed Ghosn's mind.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Wow... The Japanese police here leave the barn door unlocked and opened all the time with domestic suspects and them fleeing, but I've never heard of the incompetence on this level before. As for Ghosn himself, I just have to say, he saw his chance and took it, and he is bang on about the injustice and discrimination, and had he not left he would have felt the full force of it. Instead, international focus will now be on how unjust and corrupt the system here is, and Ghosn will finally be able to contact his family and have proper representation.

And for those who question those comments, why are the Japanese heads, who did the same things WITH Ghosn, now in power at Nissan?

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Nhk, the government mouthpiece was suspiciously silent about this huge news at 6pm. I'm thinking the crisis management meeting is taking longer than expected?

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Well if he left the country on a private plane, the Government knew about it 100 percent!

6 ( +10 / -4 )

I would bet that " prosecutors unaware " is a lie.. they simply let him flee, it would save a lot of face to JP "legal" system globally because everyone can see the whole thing is a farce with Japanese involved are off the hook and in deal with prosecutors.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Good for him

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Good Ghosn is gone but the outcome is far from a forgone conclusion.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Lebanon is not a participant of Interpol and refuses to recognize their authority within their borders. Research goes a long way.

Lebanon is actually a member of Interpol. They have been since 1949.

In fact, the ultimate irony is that Carlos Ghosn is also a very close associate of Interpol. He is one of 8 trustees on the Interpol Foundation for a Safer World. Ghosn's friend Arif Naqvi was also a trustee, until his arrest last April for participation in $250 million financial fraud. You really can't make this stuff up.

Ghosn, Naqvi Find Interpol Links Aren’t a Get-Out-of-Jail Card

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-05/interpol-links-aren-t-a-get-out-of-jail-card-ghosn-naqvi-find

6 ( +6 / -0 )

re article: A person resembling Ghosn entered Beirut international airport under a different name after flying in aboard a private jet, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported, citing an unidentified Lebanese security official.

Silence, patience and lots of money is bliss. He was correct in leaving Japan as he clearly would not receive a fair trial and get away.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

I look forward to reading his side of the story. I think there are going to be some very red faces in Japan.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

How many brown envelopes went under the table for him to get out....

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Wasnt he under watch 24/7?

Are the myriad of cctv cameras actually working?

How did he slip airport security?

How does a private jet leave japan airspace with no accountability for who's on board?

No matter what excuse the incompetent leadership comes up with, these are not delightful optics.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

So he flew out on a presumably Portuguese or Lebanese passport in I’m a variant of his name, or used d pole to change it. If he want “let go” of hen this is going to be a embarrassment of epic proportions to Nissan, Abe and Japan. Can’t wait for the press conference. Where’s the pop corn! Some dinogeges gonna have a stressed out new year.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

He was charged an absurd amount for his bail, and was prohibited from contacting his wife. Saikawa etc remains at large.

I don’t blame him. He is about to unleash a media firestorm. That will bring about better legal conditions in Japan

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Japan has extradition treaties with only the United States and South Korea, according to the justice ministry, meaning it could be difficult to force Ghosn to return to stand trial.

Like with child abduction cases where Japan doesn't follow international rules, don't expect other countries to bend over backwards to help Japan here

Japan and Nissan are SOL. The media injunction is gone. Ghosn is gonna blow the lid open on what happened while he was under arrest under the court system

Carp's gonna hit the fan

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Think the support for him is more a support of passive protest about the idiotic Ministry of Justice. He might be guilty of doing what many Japanese CEOs do but he was singled out while his peers walked free. That's not justice! Is there levels of justice or A level clearly not a level but a biased system.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

If he's out, he sure had a deal. If he's coming back for his trial, that's mean he's innocent.

Give the guy a break.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

He lost his 1.5 billion yen bail money.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

A typically Japanese solution at this time of year, and this time in the decade.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

They undoubtedly opened the door for him, and looked the other way. Curiously times for the New Year break. With everyone flying out of the country, who was going to miss a private jet?

No doubt Ghosn will enlighten us with the details soon.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

As for the alleged brown envelopes, he forfeits his bail money. The Japanese government is almost 14 million richer.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The government let him escape.

In both cases, either the Japanese system is incompetent or highly corrupted.

BOTH!

4 ( +8 / -4 )

In 2 years there will be a new movie called "The Great Escape".

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Catch me if you can.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

He had nothing to lose by fleeing. The settlement he came to with the SEC this year included a 10 year director ban which effectively ended any chance of a career comeback. All he has left are the millions which were transferred from Mid-east Nissan Dealers to his shell company in Beiruit called 'Good Faith investments', and probably a forthcoming Interpol Red Notice. What a piece of work.

SEC Charges Nissan, Former CEO, and Former Director with Fraudulently Concealing from Investors More than $140 Million of Compensation and Retirement Benefits

https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2019-183

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Alex EinzToday 01:32 pm JST

japanese prosecutors routinely do things like that, its just you dont hear about it.

What an oxymoron, if you don't hear about it then how can you know it is done?

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Still ,what's 14 million dollars between friends?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Either :

He was cunning enough to make his way out because we all know Japanese for some are naive or highly corrupted.

Or

The government let him escape.

In both cases, either the Japanese system is incompetent or highly corrupted.

In view of the fact it was end of year time, I bet for the former choice.

He would be welcome in France as ever because so far no proof of criminal acts but just some tax evasion (and not sure about that...) that he could payback several times as any citizen would have been asked.

Japanese system to go through reforms I hope.

Some seppuku to come ?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I think he gave up fighting the prosecutors in court. It's outrageous

It's not a fight when you're thrown into the ring bound and gagged yet expected to escape your bondage and still be expected to compete fairly in the fight.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Ghosn, 65,

I wonder if he'll still get his shakai hoken pension.

Or just claim back the three years or whatever it is as a lumper.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Media are reporting that Mr. Ghosn escaped by hiding in a music instrument box transported by workers dressed as guardmen. They carried the box onto a private jet at a small local airport (not Haneda).

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Foreigners now in that country really will not have a leg to stand on when it comes to getting bail. Not like they had much before. seems as if they let him go. anything that starts to make japan look embarrassing or in the wrong within the international community they will switch up on quick. especially because of the new year and decade round the corner. and again, not like they are going to change.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I suspect Ghosn is out to get the legal system now. If he has his way, reforms will come about.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Wow, it's possible to make a Hollywood movie about this mysterious Carlos!!!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Best news of 2019!

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Didn’t see this coming...or DID they?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

And next time foreigners complain about the lack of bail in Japan etc., they’ll have you to personally thank, Ghosn!

So instead of following international norms of law, use an escaped convict as a scapegoat to justify not to? Mkay.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

They let him go. It’s the only explanation for the ease of his escape. ;)

1 ( +4 / -3 )

“Japan has extradition treaties with only the United States and South Korea, according to the justice ministry,”

not to wonder why that is as it is

unique but still in East Asia

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Tune in next week for the next exciting episode of The Rise and Fall of Ghosn.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Give this guy a chance and see how much evidence he can destroy

Nice spin there. Every single individual charged with a crime is innocent untill proven guilty. Which happens to be reverse in japan. Carlos homes were raised while he was locked up and still nothing substantial came out of it. If there's no smoke, there's no fire. Can't wait for him to spill all the juicy details in the new year. It's about time some hard truths cane out.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Foreigners now in that country really will not have a leg to stand on when it comes to getting bail

Yep, one crook, one celebrity lawyer, no justice for the rest from now.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Also, Japan and Lebanon do not have an extradition treaty as refuses their citizens to be persecuted by kangaroo courts and a draconian legal system based on Edo medieval torture.

Ridiculous claim. If he had experienced Edo period style torture, he would not be alive today.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

1.5 billion yen bail money seems not a big money for Ghosn. So he could easily forget it for escape. His bail money should be maybe 20 billion yen, so he would stay here. I heard TV news says Ghosn used fake passport (its name is not written Carlos Ghosn) to enter Lebanon. I wonder how many official and fake passports he has to go overseas. He seems like MI6 agent. He is now a criminal and a fugitive.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Wow. Didn't see this coming. He was getting screw over but I can't help but to see this as a betrayal of trust. His lawyer's career is probably over now. This will likely be the last time the courts grant bail to a foreigner. How did he even manage to escape with all the safe guards in place. Someones head is going to roll.

Every other country should refuse bail to Japanese nationals.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

You must be the ONLY person who thinks the govt didn't know

The government didn't know when he was evading tax, for many years. They didn't know when he was rorting his company...they didn't know he was going to jump bail, and tgey certainly don't know their own airport security. Heavy weight...

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

This is a bit like news about Trump...

Those that support him will continue to do so, despite him breaking the law, lying, leaving a mess for others to clean up and yet still continuing to proclaim innocence. He is now a criminal.

For me, he now lacks any credibility he may once have had.

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

Wallace FredToday 07:01 pm JST

Nice spin there. Every single individual charged with a crime is innocent untill proven guilty. Which happens to be reverse in japan. Carlos homes were raised while he was locked up and still nothing substantial came out of it. If there's no smoke, there's no fire. Can't wait for him to spill all the juicy details in the new year. It's about time some hard truths cane out.

Well, not everyone keeps the incriminating evidence in his home, and you have to remember that most of the dirt about Ghosn only started appearing on the radar (and from countries other than Japan) after Ghosn was trapped and couldn't give instructions as effectively.

As for every single individual charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty, well yes but I think you'll have to look very hard to find a country that does not allow criminal preventive measures (and Ghosn had just proved their value) and unconditionally releases people until their trial.

I think unless you want to impugn legal systems other than Japan's, by this point it is hard to insist Ghosn is white. The best that might be hoped for is that the pile of evidence may not quite reach criminal conviction standards. If he is freed, it would be due to "reasonable doubt" rather than lack of a prima facie case.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

He lost more then bail. The Japanese prosecutors can now issue a red flag on Ghosn and also ask his assets in international banks to be frozen till the end of his trial.

Off shore accounts will have to comply with this which will be issued by INTERPOL.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

I know a lot of Japanese who think this guy (Ghosn) should spend the rest of his life in a Japanese prison.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

So Ghosn entered Lebanon on a fake passport, and they are alright with that?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

I would bet that " prosecutors unaware " is a lie.. they simply let him flee, it would save a lot of face to JP "legal" system globally because everyone can see the whole thing is a farce with Japanese involved are off the hook and in deal with prosecutors.

Japanese prosecutors will never let him go flee before the trial and never done such things in the past. Prosecutors knew this case is going to be the biggest issue and the trial of many years sooner or later. They will never give it up until he is convicted.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

Shocking!

He should not have fled and I think the commentators on this thread who are congratulating him are misguided.

However much Ghosn seems to be a fairly repugnant individual (deeply arrogant and greedy, enriching himself through mass firings), I think most foreigners living in Japan agree his incarceration and subsequent bail conditions were out of proportion to his alleged crimes.

But it seems fairly obvious he was engaged in some dodgy activities while at Nissan (in September he settled fraud charges with America’s SEC about concealing massive payments for years on end) so I suspect he’s guilty of a similar crime in Japan.

But if he is completely innocent, then he should be able to prove it in court. Yes, Japan’s justice system isn’t great but I bet you it's a hundred times less corrupt than Lebanon's, so what a farce. If you choose to live in Japan, you have to have basic respect for the laws and systems here.

So in summary, a very powerful and rich foreigner accused of fiddling his accounts flees a developed countries justice system with the help of some diplomat buddies. Great news!

And next time foreigners complain about the lack of bail in Japan etc., they’ll have you to personally thank, Ghosn!

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

Wow. Didn't see this coming. He was getting screw over but I can't help but to see this as a betrayal of trust. His lawyer's career is probably over now. This will likely be the last time the courts grant bail to a foreigner. How did he even manage to escape with all the safe guards in place. Someones head is going to roll.

-7 ( +6 / -13 )

Throw his lawyer Mr Razor in the clink now for aiding and abetting a fugitive, remember all the argument for bail? All the people who said that Ghosn was never going to accept his responsibility have now been vindicated. Mr Razor on the other hand with all his confidence of getting an acquittal now looks like a fool or a criminal himself.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

Wallace FredToday 06:21 pm JST

So instead of following international norms of law, use an escaped convict as a scapegoat to justify not to? Mkay.

I'm sorry but he is correct. Probability of escape has always been an important factor as to whether to grant bail, and Ghosn has with his action raised the aggregate statistical probability of escape globally among all suspects and especially all **foreign suspects*. The people who bet that he wouldn't escape were, like it or not proven *wrong and that would have an effect on all future bail.

We also have to remember that he was, overall, not being treated that shabbily once the last round of detainment for interrogation ended. He can even travel a little bit. The reasoning for all the limitations now seems very substantiated by this result - without those shackles he might have escaped even sooner.

In fact, the fact he escaped can also substantiate why they chose to Arrest first and then Investigate (usually the ideal is the reverse, of course). Give this guy a chance and see how much evidence he can destroy.

And I don't believe they let him out deliberately. Don't believe in a conspiracy when you can abscribe it to chance and incompetence. Besides, if they felt it was OK to let him go, they might as well use it to "improve" their statistical average by letting him go under a kiso yuyo.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Ghosn innocent ?

i think not, he can be judged without being present at his trial. Let the jury decide whether he is guilty or not.

My bet is he will be declared guilty. Ghosn made the same bet and he's gonna lose his bailout money. I can agree that parting with a few millions is better than spending jail time.

Good luck with all his judiciary problems which are set to continue in France and Netherlands.

-8 ( +7 / -15 )

Ghosn has flew to Lebanon by private jet. TV news says Ghosn used the fake passport to enter Lebanon. He planed the whole escape operation. This is a criminal act. Ghosn looks like criminal now.

-8 ( +9 / -17 )

Millionaire Ghosn is an arrogant, shifty looking character who's sure to have plenty of skeletons and cash stashed in cupboards all around the world. Innocent until proven guilty? Sure, but I wouldn't bet the farm on his honesty. As many have pointed out, the Japanese authorities probably pocketed the bail money and allowed him to bail out of the country. As everybody knows, it's one law for the rich and another for the poor.

-9 ( +5 / -14 )

I believe Ghosn can still be judged in absentia. If it is allowed by the Japanese system, there is no reason why it shouldn't happen.

Funny to see so many support messages for this criminal on this board. The comments/reactions on international websites are in totally different tone.. LOL

And why so much Japan hate ? as if this was the most unfair country in the world. I can see things being way more screwed up in Western countries, US, UK or France, just to name a few.

-9 ( +8 / -17 )

If this is true...

What a scumbag - not only does he break the law but then flees and goes bad mouthing Japan. I hope there is a reward offered and some bounty hunter brings him back. That would be perfect justice!

I also think that there is a bigger story here since he would have been closely watched. Someone was paid off.

This won’t go down well for other foreign suspects on bail. Not that he ever gave a toss about them...

Looking forward to hearing how the press handles this

-9 ( +5 / -14 )

It looks like Ghosn really hates the trial of many years. He is a very educated person so he should stand the trial. Now he lost to prosecutors. If he went to America, he would be arrested and sent back to Japan.

-15 ( +2 / -17 )

Waiting for his defenders on JT to come tell us how the innocents always flee

-35 ( +16 / -51 )

Ghosn has run away. It looks like he admitted the guilty about all charges against him. He is a fugitive now. Interpol would send him back to Japan someday for his unfinished trial.

-37 ( +5 / -42 )

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