Nissan's former Chairman Carlos Ghosn said Tuesday he was in
Lebanon and was not fleeing justice, but instead sought to avoid “injustice and political persecution” in
Japan, where he was awaiting trial for alleged financial misconduct.
“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, in flagrant disregard of Japan's legal obligations under international law and treaties it is bound to uphold,” the statement said.
Ghosn, who is of Lebanese origin and holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian passports, was arrested in November 2018 and was expected to face trial in April 2020.