The former chairman of Nissan today insisted he is “wrongly accused” of financial misconduct as he appeared handcuffed in a Japanese court.
Carlos Ghosn had a rope tied around his waist as he was brought into Tokyo district court for his first public appearance since his arrest in November.
Reading a prepared statement, the automotive executive, who looked visibly thinner, said: “I have been wrongly accused and unfairly detained, based on meritless and unsubstantiated accusations.”
Ghosn, 64, is accused of falsifying financial records in under-reporting his pay by about £34 million over five years. He denies all the claims, insisting he has not received any pay from Nissan that was not disclosed during two decades spent reviving the car giant.
In a statement handed out at court, Brazilian-born Ghosn said he had “acted honourably, legally, and with the knowledge and approval of the appropriate executives inside the company with the sole purpose of supporting and strengthening Nissan”.
Presiding judge Yuichi Tada told Ghosn he has been detained since his arrest on November 19 because he is considered a flight risk and may seek to hide evidence from prosecutors.
It is said Ghosn made personal losses in the 2008 banking crisis and shifted them to Nissan — a claim he denies.
He could be released on Friday unless he is re-arrested on a separate allegation. If found guilty of financial misconduct, he faces up to 10 years in prison.
Formal charges have not been laid against Ghosn or another Nissan executive, Greg Kelly, who is accused of collaborating over the alleged under-reported income.
