I’m innocent, ready for defence: Former Nissan CEO Ghosn after winning bail

Ghosn contends he is innocent of falsifying financial reports because the compensation he is alleged to have under-reported was never paid or decided upon

Former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn may leave detention as early as Wednesday, after a Tokyo court approved his release on 1 billion yen ($8.9 million) bail, rejecting an appeal by prosecutors. He said in a statement, “I am innocent and totally committed to vigorously defending myself in a fair trial against these meritless and unsubstantiated accusations.”

Ghosn’s lawyer in Japan, Junichiro Hironaka, said the legal team offered conditions for his release, such as a surveillance camera at the doorway and a promise not to use the internet. He is allowed to make voice calls, but he cannot travel abroad.The former head of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Motors alliance has been detained since November and is charged with falsifying financial reports and breach of trust.|International News 

The former head of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Motors alliance has been detained since November and is charged with falsifying financial reports and breach of trust. Jean-ves Le Borgne, Ghosn’s French lawyer, cautioned that prosecutors still had leeway to file new charges.

Suspects in Japan are kept detained for months, especially those who insist on innocence like Carlos Ghosn. Some legal experts, including Hironaka, have criticised the system as “hostage justice,” saying the long detentions tend to encourage false confessions. Prosecutors say suspects may tamper with evidence and shouldn’t be released. Two previous requests for Ghosn to be released on bail were denied. Ghosn contends he is innocent of falsifying financial reports because the compensation he is alleged to have under-reported was never paid or decided upon. 

Third time lucky: Ex-Nissan chief Ghosn wins bail after 3 months in jail

Under his bail terms, Ghosn is banned from leaving Japan and must adhere to conditions aimed at preventing him from fleeing or destroying evidence

international news: Former auto industry titan Carlos Ghosn moved a step closer to freedom Tuesday as a Tokyo court unexpectedly granted him bail after more than three months in a detention cell. It was the latest twist in a case that has kept Japan and the business world gripped since the tycoon’s shock arrest on November 19 over suspicions of financial misconduct.

The court set bail at one billion yen (USD 9 million), but prosecutors are likely to appeal the decision and could even file additional allegations against the 64-year-old to keep him from leaving detention. Under his bail terms, Ghosn is banned from leaving Japan and must adhere to conditions aimed at preventing him from fleeing or destroying evidence.

The shock decision came a day after Ghosn’s new lead defence lawyer, Junichiro Hironaka, told reporters he had filed a “convincing” application for bail that contained fresh elements. Hironaka, who has a reputation for securing acquittals for high-profile clients in a country where almost all court cases end in conviction, offered greater surveillance of Ghosn and a limit on his electronic communications.

The court has previously said Ghosn’s continued detention was justified because he posed a flight risk and could seek to tamper with evidence. It had already rejected two official bail bids and other attempts to win freedom…Read More