Japan court extends new detention period for former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn News
© WikiMedia (Bertel Schmitt)
Japan court extends new detention period for former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn

A Japanese court on Friday approved the extended detention of former Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn.

Ghosn was arrested Thursday after being released last month for charges relating to financial wrongdoings. This is the fourth arrest regarding charges against Ghosn for financial wrongdoings. Prosecutors sought Ghosn’s arrest specifically on the suspicion that he utilized his position as a Nissan Chariman for Japan to obtain $5 million at the expense of the company.

Conducting a suspect’s arrest for the standard 20 days and then raising new accusations is common in Japan, where it is known as a “rearrest.” Some critics of this method state that it can cause detainees to confess to charges they are not guilty of committing. In response to these critiques, prosecutors argue that Ghosn may have tampered with evidence related to the allegations. Ghosn’s arrest and his extended detention without a conviction are sparking critique of Japan’s criminal justice system, labeled as “hostage justice.”

Ghosn’s lawyer states that there were no grounds for detaining Ghosn again, as he had already specified to a court that he would not tamper with evidence. The Tokyo Court approved the detention of Ghosn until April 14. Ghosn hopes to prove his innocence by complying with the Tokyo authorities.