Ghosn’s Appearance Before Lebanese Judiciary Awaits Interpol’s Response to Legal Loophole

Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, reacts during a news conference in Paris, France, September 15, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/File Photo
Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, reacts during a news conference in Paris, France, September 15, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/File Photo
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Ghosn’s Appearance Before Lebanese Judiciary Awaits Interpol’s Response to Legal Loophole

Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, reacts during a news conference in Paris, France, September 15, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/File Photo
Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, reacts during a news conference in Paris, France, September 15, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/File Photo

Carlos Ghosn managed to disable a device that was attached to his wrist when he was allowed to leave his home, Asharq Al-Awsat learned from a diplomatic report received in Beirut.

The report pointed out that the investigation team was surprised how Ghosn was able to escape despite tight control by the Japanese security forces, who were constantly monitoring his movements through devices installed around his house. The report indicated that the officers, who were responsible for his security, were still under arrest.

As for Japan’s contact with the Interpol, a loophole in the letter sent by Japan to Lebanon required a correction. Interpol Lyon in France – the headquarters of the organization’s general secretariat - was asked to correct the loophole.

Sources said that his appearance before the Lebanese Judiciary was awaiting INTERPOL’s response to correct the gap in the letter. Then, he would be summoned by the public prosecutor who will investigate the charge against him, according to the sources.

It should be noted that the Lebanese judiciary can interrogate Ghosn without arresting him, because an arrest can only take place in case of charges of a crime or drugs, which does not apply to Ghosn, according to judicial sources who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat.

The sources added that as a result of the investigations with Ghosn, State Prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat will submit the final report to Justice Minister Albert Sarhan, who will look at it and makes a decision to proceed with his trial in Beirut because there is no extradition agreement with Tokyo; therefore, Ghosn will be referred to the competent court in the light of the results of the investigation.

A diplomatic source said that Japan has also asked Turkey to investigate with the crew of the private jet that took Ghosn to Beirut on Monday morning.

The source pointed out that the meeting of the new ambassador of Japan to Lebanon with Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Salim Jreissati focused on the importance of Beirut’s cooperation, even if there was no extradition agreement between the two sides.



Israel Issues Evacuation Warning for Five Southern Lebanese Towns

A civil defense member walks among the debris at the site of an Israeli strike in Beirut's Basta neighborhood, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, Lebanon November 23, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
A civil defense member walks among the debris at the site of an Israeli strike in Beirut's Basta neighborhood, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, Lebanon November 23, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
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Israel Issues Evacuation Warning for Five Southern Lebanese Towns

A civil defense member walks among the debris at the site of an Israeli strike in Beirut's Basta neighborhood, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, Lebanon November 23, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
A civil defense member walks among the debris at the site of an Israeli strike in Beirut's Basta neighborhood, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, Lebanon November 23, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

The Israeli army issued a statement on Sunday requesting the residents of five towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate in anticipation of airstrikes, while warning residents not to head south.
The military told the residents of Zawtar al-Sharqiya, Zawtar al-Gharbiya, Arnoun, Yuhmor, and al-Qusayba, to evacuate their homes immediately and move north of the Awwali River.
“You must evacuate immediately to the north of Awwali River to ensure your safety, you must evacuate without delay. Anyone near Hezbollah fighters, facilities or weapons is putting their life at risk”, added the statement.
In a separate statement, the army said that sirens sounded in central Israel due to Hezbollah rockets fired from Lebanon.
It added that six projectiles were detected crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory, and that its air forces intercepted five of the rockets, while the last one landed in an open area.