Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn to appear in Tokyo court for detention hearing
Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn will appear in a Tokyo court after his lawyers requested a hearing to explain the reason for his detention.
Ghosn, who has been held in Japan since 19 November, will appear in the Tokyo District Court within five days, according to local media reports.
Lawyers for the embattled executive petitioned the court to explain why he has been held for an extended period of time.
The court appearance could be Ghosn’s first opportunity to speak publicly about his alleged financial crimes.
Ghosn was re-arrested in December on fresh charges of understating his income and faces new allegations that he transferred personal losses to Nissan and used company funds to pay a Saudi businessman for a personal favour.
Ghosn denies all allegations against him, local media has reported.
Earlier this week, the Tokyo District Court extended Ghosn’s detention to 11 January. Former representative director Greg Kelly, who was arrested alongside the former Nissan chairman, has been released on bail while awaiting trial.
The scandal has rocked the alliance between Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi. While Nissan and Mitsubishi have ousted the executive, he remains chief executive and chairman of Renault.
If found guilty, Ghosn could face 10 years in prison and a fine of up to ¥10m (£70,000).