
Former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn flees £65million corruption charges in Japan
Car boss won't face the music: Former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn flees £65million corruption charges in Japan by sneaking out of the country locked inside a musical instrument caseCarlos Ghosn managed to flee from underneath noses of Japanese authoritiesThe 65-year-old was awaiting trial in Tokyo over £65million corruption chargesEven his lawyer, Junichiro Hironaka, said he was 'dumbfounded' by the events By James Salmon for the Daily Mail
Published: 23:18 GMT, 31 December 2019 | Updated: 23:22 GMT, 31 December 2019
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A disgraced former car industry titan was last night suspected of hiding in a double bass case to escape house arrest in Japan before fleeing to Lebanon in a private jet.
In an astonishing plot twist worthy of a James Bond blockbuster, Carlos Ghosn, the former boss of Nissan and Renault, managed to flee from underneath the noses of Japanese authorities.
The 65-year-old, who was awaiting trial in Tokyo over £65million corruption charges, disappeared from his luxury apartment in the Japanese capital despite it being under surveillance.
Stringent conditions on his freedom, such as a £10million bail payment and handing in his three passports, seem to have made no difference as Mr Ghosn flew into Beirut unchallenged, claiming not to have escaped but to have fled 'injustice and political persecution'.
Ghosn and second wife, Carole, celebrate their 2016 wedding with her children Tara, Daniel and Anthony
Speculation emerged in the Lebanese media that the diminutive Mr Ghosn, thought to be around 5ft 7in, was wheeled out of the property in a box for 'a large musical instrument', such as a double bass or drum.
A Gregorian music band were seen entering his apartment on Sunday, apparently to set up ahead of a New Year's Eve performance. There was speculation others who entered posing as band members may have actually been members of a security firm which aided Mr Ghosn's journey.
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