Tokyo prosecutors get fresh arrest warrant for ex-Nissan chief Ghosn

TOKYO - Tokyo prosecutors obtained a fresh arrest warrant for former Nissan Motor Co. chief Carlos Ghosn for violating Japan's immigration law by fleeing Japan while on bail, sources close to the matter said Thursday.

Ghosn, who holds Brazilian, French and Lebanese nationality, on Dec. 29 jumped bail and fled Japan for Lebanon via Turkey, to escape what he called the "rigged Japanese judicial system."

Ghosn fled Japan to Lebanon in breach of his bail conditions and under dramatic circumstances, possibly hiding in a large case used to carry musical equipment and departing on a private jet from Kansai International Airport, in Osaka Prefecture.

Prosecutors and police here have been trying to determine exactly how Ghosn managed to fund and carry out the costly escape while under strict bail conditions.

Justice Minister Masako Mori has maintained the 65-year old ex-auto tycoon left the country illegally.

Japan and Lebanon have no extradition treaty, meaning Ghosn, first arrested on Nov. 19, 2018, and facing charges of under-reporting his remuneration in Nissan's securities reports and misusing company funds, cannot be handed over to Japan to face trail without Lebanon agreeing.