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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Maighna Nanu

Yamaha warns people not to hide in instrument cases after Carlos Ghosn 'escaped' from Japan in double bass container

Former Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn addresses journalists in Beirut on 8 January 2020 ( AFP via Getty Images )

People have been urged not to try and squeeze inside musical instrument cases after reports Carlos Ghosn, the former Nissan boss, escaped Japan concealed inside in one.

Japanese company Yahama, which makes instruments and equipment ranging from pianos and double basses to drums and heavy duty speakers, tweeted: “We won’t mention the reason, but there have been many tweets about climbing inside large musical instrument cases. 

“A warning after any unfortunate accident would be too late, so we ask everyone not to try it.”

A popular theory regarding Ghosn’s escape involves him being helped by a Gregorian band and team of ex-special forces operatives who smuggled him out of his home in a musical instrument case.

The former head of Nissan and Renault fled from Japan to Lebanon under strict bail conditions to avoid charges of financial misconduct at the end of last year. 

Mystery continues to surround the issue with some Japanese media reporting on his escape via bullet train, while others say there is footage of him walking out of his house alone.

The charges against Mr Ghosn include hiding earnings, transferring investment losses to Nissan and misappropriating company funds – all of which he denies.

At a press conference last week in Beirut he declined to address speculation on the matter.

He told a packed room of reporters he was the victim of an “unimaginable ordeal by unscrupulous individuals” and said he welcomed the opportunity to clear his name.

Likening his arrest in Japan to the ambushing of Pearl Harbour in the Second World War, the 65-year-old described the decision to flee as ‘the most difficult decision of his life.

Mr Ghosn also accused Japanese prosecutors of conspiring with Nissan to take him down due to his support for merging Renault and Nissan.

Japan have vehemently denied any allegations of a conspiracy and are continuing to investigate how Ghosn managed to escape.

The 65-year-old, who holds Lebanese, Brazilian, and French citizenship, is thought to have travelled via Istanbul with a Turkish airline confirming their jets illegal use in the escape.

Lebanon has issued a travel ban for both Mr Ghosn and his wife, Carole Ghosn.

Mr Ghosn has sought to distance his Lebanese wife and family from any involvement.

He said: “The allegations in the media that my wife Carole and other members of my family played a role in my departure from Japan are false and misleading.

“I alone organised my departure – my family played no role.”

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