Ghosn's lawyer: What he did is unforgivable

The lawyer of former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn said on Tuesday that his client's decision to flee Japan as he awaited a criminal trial was "unforgivable" but can understand why he would resort to escape.

Junichiro Hironaka told journalists in Tokyo that he was "very surprised by the news" and added that he had not spoken to Ghosn since he travelled to Lebanon.

Hironaka also denied any involvement in or knowledge of the escape.

Ghosn had been released on bail by a Tokyo court while awaiting trial but was not allowed to travel overseas.

He disclosed his location in a statement through his representatives that did not describe how he left Japan, where he had been under surveillance.

In his statement, Ghosn also said that he was not fleeing justice, but instead was seeking to avoid "injustice and political persecution."

Ghosn was charged with under-reporting his future compensation and of breach of trust.

The former Nissan leader was expected to go on trial next year in April.

He has repeatedly asserted his innocence, saying authorities had trumped up charges to prevent a planned fuller merger between Nissan Motor Co. and alliance partner Renault SA.