“I have acted honourably, legally, and with the approval of executives inside the company.”
The former supremo of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, Carlos Ghosn, has finally been permitted to issue a public statement, the first such allowance since he was arrested in November. The allegations brought against him are “meritless & unsubstantiated” according to Ghosn, a towering figure in the global automotive industry.
Led into court handcuffed and with a rope around his waist (as is required by the Japanese justice system), Ghosn looked visibly thinner and tried from his long stint in jail. A BBC report alludes that Ghosn has been detained in a cell with three others and subject to harsh conditions, which has forced a spotlight onto Japan’s unforgiving justice system and its obvious shortcomings.
One such shortcoming is the ability for prosecutors to detain suspects without charge over long periods of time – which is precisely what they’ve done with Ghosn, lining up different charges to ensure that he is to remain behind bars. Japanese courts have also denied Ghosn a request for bail, as they deem him a flight risk and think that he may conceal evidence.
A second legal shortcoming is the ability for prosecutors to interrogate suspects for up to 8-hours a day without legal representation present. According to Ghosn’s son Anthony, his father has already lost some 10kgs since he was arrested, and his detention is expected to extend into his trial.
In his statement, Ghosn expressed deep his feelings for Nissan, a carmaker that he has spent nearly two decades in reviving:
“Let me say that I have a genuine love & appreciation for Nissan. I believe strongly that in all of my efforts on behalf of the company, I have acted honourably, legally, and with the knowledge and approval of the appropriate executives inside the company, with the sole purpose of supporting & strengthening Nissan, and helping to restore its place as one of Japan’s finest and most respected companies.” – Carlos Ghosn, Former Chairman, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance
Ghosn also addressed the accusations he is facing one by one, rebuking each one in full (refer to gallery for the full statement prepared for Ghosn by his lawyers, and read in open court). With immense public scrutiny around the case, the expected 6-month wait until trial could be made shorter, though this remains speculation at this point. Ghosn has been removed as the boss at Mitsubishi & Nissan, but remains with Renault as the French carmaker has identified no wrongdoing by Ghosn there.
Stay tuned to CarShowroom as we bring you updates as they come.
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