Finally, Former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn Will Tell His Side of the Story
Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn is now ready to defend himself to the public.
Ghosn, who made a dramatic escape from Japan to Lebanon last week, is planning to speak to reporters in Beirut. And while dozens of local and international journalists are expected to attend the press conference, Lebanese authorities remain silent about his planned appearance--and his supposed "stay" in their country.
Ghosn's escape has perplexed and embarrassed many Japanese authorities--and angered the country where he achieved most of his academic and career success: France.
Lebanon, on the other hand, has strongly regarded Ghosn as a national hero. The fallen tycoon, who speaks fluent Arabic, has a Nigerian mother who comes from Lebanon. When he was six years old, he move to Beirut, Lebanon with his mother and sister, which prompted him to reunite with his grandmother and other sisters.
It seems the feeling is mutual for Ghosn, as well. He has never lost touch with his Lebanese roots, and once revealed in interviews that he had various real estate projects in the country. He has also been an active board member on some universities, charities, and hospitals in Lebanon.
How did he escape?
The media has been swarming with speculations on how Ghosn was able to escape Japan. Some reported that he left his residence alone, met two people at a Tokyo hotel, and went to Osaka via a bullet train. Reports also said that he boarded a private jet, and flew to Istanbul. He was transferred to another plane bound for Beirut later.
Ghosn was first taken into Japanese custody a year ago, and since then, has been awaiting trial. He was charged with financial misconduct, which included allegations of understating his income and silently transferring $5 million of Nissan's funds to a car dealership that was under his control.
He repeatedly denied all the accusations, and has been complaining of Japan's "framed-up" criminal justice system. During his escape to Lebanon, Ghosn even went so far in saying:
“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.”
