French justice issues international arrest warrant for Carlos Ghosn

French justice issues international arrest warrant for Carlos Ghosn

An international arrest warrant has been issued against the former boss of Renault-Nissan as part of an investigation for misuse of corporate assets, money laundering and corruption.

The 68-year-old Franco-Lebanese-Brazilian lives in Lebanon since fleeing Japan at the end of 2019. In this investigation, which is worth an international arrest warrant for the former boss of Renault-Nissan, French justice is interested in suspicious payments totaling 15 million euros between the Renault-Nissan alliance and the manufacturer’s distributor in Oman. There would be suspicions of retrocommissions in favor of the former CEO of Renault.

Extraction not possible?

The businessman has already escaped a trial in Tokyo for financial embezzlement because Lebanon does not extradite its nationals. But if Carlos Ghosn is beyond the reach of Japanese justice, is it of French justice? Mr. Ghosn’s lawyer is surprised by this international arrest warrant ensuring that his client is the subject of a “judicial ban on leaving Lebanese territory”. Extradition to France would therefore be impossible.

The investigators have already traveled twice to Beirut for witness hearings. Carlos Ghosn himself has could be heard last year. If the arrest warrant is executed, Carlos Ghosn will be directly presented to an investigating judge, in Nanterre, who will notify him of the charges against him.

Four other terms

The investigating judge in charge of the investigation also issued four other international arrest warrants aimed at “ the current owners or ex-managers of the Omani company SBA “Said the Nanterre prosecutor’s office.

Carlos Ghosn is also suspected of having personally benefited from a sponsorship agreement between Renault and the establishment that manages the Palace of Versailles, by organizing two private parties there, which he disputes.

Read also: Japan: Greg Kelly, ex-assistant of Carlos Ghosn, sentenced to six months in prison suspended

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