Lebanon: French judges interrogate ex-Nissan executive 

For the second day running, the former president of the Renault-Nissan auto alliance has appeared before a delegation of French judges in the Lebanese capital Beirut. Carlos Ghosn faces “financial misconduct” charges.

“It is the very first time that our client can explain himself in front of the judges with his lawyers sitting next to him and after preparing his defence,” one of Ghosn’s defence team, Jean Tamalet, told Reuters. “It is the very first time of justice for Carlos Ghosn since he was arrested arbitrarily in Japan.”

The French magistrates are seeking answers about events hosted by Ghosn at the sumptuous Palace of Versailles, including whether in one case he knowingly used company resources to host a private party.

Ghosn was chairman of both Nissan and Mitsubishi, and was also the chief executive of Renault, when he was arrested in Japan in 2018 on charges of “under-reporting his salary and using company funds for personal purposes.” In December 2019, he fled to Lebanon hidden inside carry-on luggage on a private jet and has remained there ever since.

READ: US turns over two men charged in Ghosn escape to Japan