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Ghosn Set For Continued Detention As New Charges Filed

  Tokyo prosecutors on Friday filed two fresh charges of financial misconduct against former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn, meaning the auto tycoon is unlikely to … Continue reading Ghosn Set For Continued Detention As New Charges Filed


(FILES) This file photo taken on May 11, 2012 shows the-president and CEO of Japanese auto giant Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, gesturing as he answers questions during a press conference at their headquarters in Yokohama, suburban Tokyo. Former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn said on January 8, 2019 he had been “wrongly accused and unfairly detained” at a high-profile court hearing in Japan, his first appearance since his arrest in November rocked the business world. TORU YAMANAKA / AFP
(file photo) The President and CEO of Japanese auto giant Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, gesturing as he answers questions during a press conference at their headquarters in Yokohama, suburban Tokyo.  TORU YAMANAKA / AFP

 

Tokyo prosecutors on Friday filed two fresh charges of financial misconduct against former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn, meaning the auto tycoon is unlikely to be leaving his Japanese jail cell soon.

Lawyers for the former jet-setting executive filed a bail application hours later, but have acknowledged he will probably be detained until a trial that could take months to organise.

However, in one piece of rare positive news for the once-revered tycoon, the Tokyo District Court turned down a prosecutors’ bid to prevent family visits, meaning he should be allowed contact with his loved ones.

Ghosn denies any wrongdoing and argued Tuesday in a dramatic first court appearance that he had been “wrongly accused and unfairly detained.”

Prosecutors on Friday slapped the 64-year-old with a formal charge of under-declaring his income by around four billion yen ($37 million) over three years from 2015.

They also pressed charges of “aggravated breach of trust” over a complex alleged scheme in which Ghosn is said to have tried to transfer losses on foreign exchange contracts to Nissan’s books.

As part of the scheme, he is also accused of using company funds to repay a Saudi acquaintance who put up collateral for the contracts.

He was already facing the first charge for allegedly under-reporting his compensation over five years to the tune of five billion yen in official documents to shareholders.

Prosecutors also filed charges Friday against Nissan and Ghosn aide Greg Kelly over the additional three years of under-reporting pay.

“We took these steps today because we believed that they are cases worthy of an indictment and going to trial,” said deputy chief prosecutor Shin Kukimoto.

A prosecutor’s office spokeswoman said the charges against Ghosn carry a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.

The breach of trust charge is regarded as particularly serious, and Ghosn’s lawyer Motonari Otsuru admitted Tuesday it would be “very difficult” to secure bail for his client.

“In general in such cases in Japan, it is indeed the case that bail is not approved before the first trial does take place,” he said, adding that it could be six months before the case comes before a judge.

 New allegations emerge 

Ghosn has appeared in public just once since his shock November 19 arrest, during the Tuesday court hearing called after his lawyers requested judges explain the tycoon’s ongoing detention.

One of the most recognisable foreign executives in Japan, Ghosn was led into Tokyo District Court in handcuffs and with a rope around his waist and was noticeably thinner.

He spoke in a strong voice and said he had acted “honourably, legally and with the knowledge and approval of the appropriate executives inside the company”.

The judge said his ongoing detention was justified because he poses a flight risk and could tamper with evidence if released.

A request filed the same day by his lawyers to end his detention was rejected.

Private jet to the private cell 

Ghosn’s prolonged detention has put the spotlight on Japan’s justice system, which has come in for some international criticism.

With each allegation against Ghosn, prosecutors can seek up to 22 days of detention to investigate the claims — the period for the aggravated breach of trust allegation expired Friday.

And with each formal charge, prosecutors can hold Ghosn for two months of pre-trial detention, which is also renewable.

The high-flyer who once sparked criticism for his lavish lifestyle has gone from spacious digs in international capitals to a one-man cell.

He was initially held in a small room with traditional Japanese tatami floor mats to sleep on but has now been moved to a larger cell with a Western-style bed.

He has reportedly complained about the rice-based diet at the detention center, with his family saying he has lost up to 20 kilos (44 pounds).

This week he suffered a fever that prompted prosecutors to suspend their interrogations, though his lawyer said Friday his temperature had gone back down.

The court overturned a ban on family visiting rights, meaning Ghosn can receive visits from his loved ones, as well as his legal team and diplomats.

Ghosn’s arrest has exposed rifts in the alliance he forged and led between Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors and France’s Renault.

While the two Japanese firms quickly ousted him from leadership roles, Renault has kept him on and its board said Thursday that an ongoing audit has found no sign of fraud in the last two years.

Nissan said Friday it has filed its own criminal complaint against its former chief “on the basis of Ghosn’s misuse of a significant amount of the company’s funds.”

It said it took the charges filed against the firm “extremely seriously” and was continuing its investigation into the case.

AFP