Former Chairman of the Board of Nissan Carlos Ghosn said he was serious in suing the company “to compensate for the moral and physical abuse he suffered as a result of his arrest in Japan,” hinting at seeking to seize Nissan’s property in Lebanon and the world.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Ghosn denied local “political support” or an intention to work in politics.
Ghosn maintains the theory of a “conspiracy” plotted against him, which he said was prepared a year before his arrest.
“On the same day, they stripped me of everything, prevented me from accessing information, entered my house... and took all the information they wanted,” he stated.
Recounting how he was arrested in Japan on charges of not declaring money that he did not receive in the first place, he said that when the authorities discovered that the case was groundless, plots began against him.
The former Nissan CEO justifies the reason for waiting so long to file the lawsuit, by saying: “It took a long time to re-investigate what happened and go into the details... because they stripped me of everything.”
He added that he assigned a team of lawyers to collect files and evidence that back his case.
According to Ghosn, the one billion dollars, which he is requesting as compensation from Nissan, is not a large amount compared to the damage and losses he has incurred.
He stressed that the company has distorted his reputation and future, because of the accusations launched against him.
“A billion dollars is a small compensation,” he underlined.
Ghosn said, however, that he was not surprised by the skeptical questions.
“Everyone is wondering: Can Japan do such a thing? Yes, in Japan there are many good things, but on the other hand there are bad things,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat, saying that the country “does not care about human rights.”
He explained that he chose Lebanon to file a lawsuit against Nissan, as he had to resort either to a Lebanese or a Japanese court.
“There must be a relationship between the crime and the country, and the two countries are either Japan or Lebanon, and I can only file a lawsuit in Lebanon,” he remarked.
Ghosn added that he would have preferred to resort to a court in the United States, should he have this option.
“I would have asked for $10 billion. These things do not happen in America. No one can behave with another person in this way in America... A billion dollars does not affect Nissan ... but $10 billion surely does.”
Ghosn stressed that if he won the case in Lebanon, he could seize Nissan’s properties in the country and elsewhere.
He explained that by virtue of international conventions, a foreign ruling can be enforceable in other countries.
“You can seize factories in America, for example, and the same applies in England, Spain, Egypt, Dubai and Brazil... The company cannot escape,” he said.
Ghosn ridiculed accusations against him of taking refuge in Lebanon “to escape justice.”
He affirmed that he came to Lebanon because he has interests, a home, and a family. He added that Lebanon was not the only country in the world that does not extradite its citizens, citing France and Brazil as an example.
“I did not run away, I fight because I have a right,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
The former CEO of Nissan strongly refuses to link his current lawsuit with an Interpol red notice for his arrest at France’s request, in a case of bribery involving a French minister.
He stressed that the accusations were unfounded, saying that they were politically-driven. He also expressed confidence that the French minister would win the lawsuit.
On a different note, Ghosn said he had no intention to work in politics in Lebanon, “but I can help politicians if needed.”
He added that he was moving freely in his country, “without fear”, as he does not feel threatened, noting that he was only taking some security precautions at the request of his children.
Ghosn stressed that he was currently focusing on the lawsuit against Nissan, as well as managing his business in Lebanon, especially after his property and investments were seized by the French authorities.
“The French put their hands on all my property, but the Japanese did not lay their hands on anything. My investments are only in Lebanon,” he stated.
