TOKYO, Jan 30 (NNN-NHK) – The office of a lawyer, who formerly represented ex-Nissan chief, Carlos Ghosn, who recently jumped bail and fled to Lebanon, was searched by Tokyo prosecutors on Wednesday (yesterday).
Junichiro Hironaka, who represented Ghosn, prior to resigning from the case on Jan 16, after his client jumped bail and escaped from Japan on Dec 29, previously refused to allow prosecutors to seize a computer used at the office, by the ex-auto tycoon.
On Jan 8, Hironaka denied access to investigators, from the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, who intended to seize the computer from his office, believing Ghosn may have used it in connection with his dramatic escape from Japan, while on bail.
Hironaka at the time, opted not to hand over the computer and did not allow investigators to enter his office, stating that, in terms of lawyers’ confidentiality, “we used the right to refuse seizure, based on criminal procedure law, and asked the investigators to leave.”
Ghosn, 65, first arrested on Nov 19, 2018, for alleged financial misconduct, fled Japan for Lebanon via Turkey, to escape what he called the “rigged Japanese judicial system.”
Ghosn fled Japan, in breach of his bail, 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.
Prosecutors and police have been trying to determine exactly how Ghosn managed to fund and carry out the costly escape, while under strict bail conditions, limiting his access to phones, computers and mandating his stay in a surveilled residence.
Japan and Lebanon have no extradition treaty, meaning, Ghosn, who is 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.
Hironaka on announcing his resignation as Ghosn’s lawyer said, he now had “nothing to do” with his former client.
Other lawyers, also comprising the former auto bigwig’s defence counsel, have also left the case.– NNN-NHK
