Prosecutors in Japan on Tuesday obtained an arrest warrant for Carole Ghosn, wife of former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn, who last month jumped bail and fled the country.
In a statement, prosecutors said they had obtained the warrant on suspicion she made false statements during April testimony to the Tokyo district court about meetings with an unnamed individual.
Carlos Ghosn had been facing trial in Japan on charges of financial misconduct, which he denies, before fleeing the country in late December for Lebanon.
He had been freed on bail after agreeing to strict conditions, with prosecutors arguing he posed a flight risk.
The conditions included restrictions on contact with Carole, which was reportedly among the reasons he decided to jump bail and flee the country in an elaborately planned escape that has outraged Japanese officials.
Ghosn's second wife, Carole vocally led the campaign for her husband's freedom, insisting on his innocence and slamming Japanese prosecutors for what she deemed ill-treatment after his shock November 19, 2018 arrest.
She was initially prevented from seeing her husband, who was held in detention for more than 100 days after his arrest, and petitioned everyone from French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House seeking his release.
The former Nissan Motor Co Ltd and Renault SA chairman became an international fugitive after he fled to Lebanon - his childhood home - last week to escape what he called a “rigged” justice system in Japan, where he faces multiple charges related to financial misconduct.
He has denied any wrongdoing and has said he was the victim of “backstabbing” and a “conspiracy” that wanted to derail his efforts to bring the two automakers toward a merger.
Earlier, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said Tokyo has asked Lebanon for help regarding Carlos Ghosn, calling his escape to Beirut “regrettable” but stopping short of spelling out what Tokyo was seeking from local authorities.
Japanese authorities said on Monday they may press for Carlos Ghosn’s extradition from Lebanon to face the charges, even though the Middle Eastern country does not normally extradite its nationals.
Suga, sidestepped questions about what exactly Japan had asked of Lebanon beyond “finding out the truth”.
“It’s necessary to carefully consider the legal systems of both countries,” he told a news conference, referring to any requests for the extradition of a fugitive.
Carlos Ghosn is due to speak to the media in Lebanon on Wednesday where he is widely expected to detail some of the claims he has made against Nissan since his arrest.
Citing an interview with Carlos Ghosn, Fox Business reported that the former executive said he has “actual evidence” and documents to show there was a Japanese government-backed coup to “take him out”. He plans to identify those he believes responsible at a news conference, the broadcaster reported.
Separately, Nissan said Carlos Ghosn’s flight from Japan would not affect its policy of holding him responsible for “serious misconduct”.
“The company will continue to take appropriate legal action to hold Carlos Ghosn accountable for the harm that his misconduct has caused to Nissan,” the Japanese automaker said in a statement.
