Beirut (AFP)
Fallen car mogul Carlos Ghosn, who has fled accusations of financial embezzlement in Japan, will give a press conference in Beirut on Wednesday, a spokesman for AFP said on Sunday.
Since his arrival almost a week ago in Lebanon, his country of origin, the 65-year-old businessman, former CEO of Renault-Nissan, has limited his statements to the media.
It has emerged from its silence only twice, through press releases. The circumstances of his incredible flight remain to be clarified, while in Tokyo he was under house arrest under strict conditions.
His press conference "will take place on Wednesday 08 January at 3 p.m. Beirut time" (1:00 p.m. GMT), a spokesman for AFP said without giving further details.
The Japanese government reacted for the first time on Sunday. "The escape of an accused on bail is unjustifiable," Japanese justice minister Masako Mori said in a statement.
Mr. Ghosn, who was the highest-paid business owner in Japan, was arrested there in late 2018. In late April, after 130 days behind bars, he obtained bail.
"I have not fled from justice, I have freed myself from injustice and political persecution. I can finally communicate freely with the media," said Ghosn the day after his arrival in Lebanon.
The businessman is the subject of four charges in Japan: two for deferred income not declared to the stock exchange authorities by Nissan (who is also being sued on this aspect), and two others for aggravated breach of trust.
Lebanon having received a request for arrest of Interpol, the businessman could be heard as early as next week by the public prosecutor's office, as the procedure requires, had told AFP a judicial source.
Lebanese authorities announced that Carlos Ghosn had entered the country "legally" and recalled that there was no extradition agreement with Japan.
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