Nissan Chairman Ghosn Released From Prison On Bail

VOA News
6 March 2019 (6:07AM)

Former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn has been released from prison after posting a nearly $9 million bail.

Ghosn was surrounded by uniformed security guards as he walked out of the Tokyo Detention Center early Wednesday morning, his face shielded by a mask, hat and glasses.

A Japanese court approved Ghosn's release Tuesday night, but it was delayed when prosecutors filed a last-minute appeal.

The Tokyo District Court imposed several restrictions on Ghosn, including where he can live, a ban on foreign travel, and vows not to tamper with evidence.

The former head of the Nissan-Mitsubishi Motors-Renault alliance had been in prison since his November 19 arrest on charges of falsifying financial statements for nearly a decade by under-reporting compensation by $82 million.

Ghosn reiterated in a statement he is "innocent" and said he was "grateful" for family and friends who supported him "throughout this terrible ordeal."

The Japanese auto giant fired Ghosn as chairman, but he remains on the Nissan board until a decision is made at a shareholders' meeting.

Ghosn faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.