Disgraced businessman Carlos Ghosn said Tuesday he had escaped Japan and arrived in Lebanon, raising questions about how he fled months before trial, Eurasia Diary reports citing Deutsche Welle.
Ghosn had been under "strict surveillance" by authorities in Japan and had surrendered his passports while on bail.
"I have not fled justice, I have escaped injustice and political persecution," the former Nissan chief said in a statement.
Ghosn's lawyer, Junichiro Hironaka, said he was dumbfounded by his client's sudden departure. He said he had not spoken with him since last Tuesday, and described his client's behavior as "inexcusable."
The former head of carmakers Renault and Nissan was due to face trial in 2020 on charges of financial misconduct in Japan.
The 65-year-old was previously lauded for reversing Nissan's fortunes, reaching a celebrity status in Japan and even appearing as a protagonist of a manga, a Japanese comic book. His fall from grace sent out shockwaves across Japan and the global car industry.