Seven detained in Istanbul over aiding ex-Nissan CEO's escape

Turkish police forces have arrested seven people, including four pilots, as part of an investigation into how former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn managed a dramatic escape to Lebanon through Istanbul after fleeing Japan, where he was facing trial on financial misconduct charges.

An unnamed police spokeswoman told Reuters that the other detainees were two airport ground workers and one cargo worker and all the seven were expected to give statements before a court on Thursday.

Turkish-language Hurriyet daily newspaper, citing an interior ministry official, reported that Turkish border police were not notified about Ghosn's arrival, and neither his entry nor exit were registered.

People familiar with the matter told Reuters that Ghosn had arrived in Beirut on a private jet from Istanbul.

Ex-Nissan boss flees Japan to Lebanon

Ousted Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn escapes Japan, where he is facing charges of financial misconduct, and arrives in Lebanon.

A plane carrying Ghosn arrived at 5:30 a.m. local time (0230 GMT) on Monday at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Hurriyet added, noting that prosecutors ordered the arrests after widening their investigation.

On Tuesday, Ghosn confirmed he was in Lebanon, saying he “will no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system where guilt is presumed, discrimination is rampant, and basic human rights are denied,” Ghosn, 65, said in a brief statement.

“I am now in Lebanon and will no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system where guilt is presumed, discrimination is rampant, and basic human rights are denied,” Ghosn, 65, said in a brief statement.

“I have not fled justice - I have escaped injustice and political persecution. I can now finally communicate freely with the media, and look forward to starting next week,” he added.

Japan’s public broadcaster NHK said on Thursday that Japanese authorities allowed the businessman, who holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenships, to carry a spare French passport in a locked case while out on bail.

Nissan's Chairman Carlos Ghosn ousted over financial misconduct allegations

Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn was arrested on Monday, November 19, for alleged financial misconduct.

Flight tracking data suggest that Ghosn used two different planes to fly into Istanbul and then on to Lebanon.

Lebanon's Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that Ghosn entered the country legally.

The country's General Security apparatus also said that “there are no measures that warrant taking steps against him or prosecuting him.”

“There is no extradition accord between Lebanon and Japan,” an unidentified source at the Lebanese Ministry of Justice told AFP as well.

Lebanon does not have an extradition treaty with Japan, according to Japan's Justice Ministry, making it unlikely that Ghosn could be forced to return to Tokyo to face trial.

Nissan to annually cut 12,500 jobs as profits plunge

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Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo in November 2018. He faces four charges, including hiding income and enriching himself through payments to car dealerships in the Middle East.

He has repeatedly asserted his innocence, saying authorities trumped up charges to prevent a possible fuller merger between Nissan Motor Co. and alliance partner Renault SA.

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