Japan court allows Nissan ex-chairman Ghosn to talk with wife

Former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn will be permitted to speak to his wife for first time in eight months, his family said, after a Tokyo court lifted a ban on contact between pair.

Ghosn is on bail in Tokyo as he awaits trial on four charges of financial misconduct related to his time as chairman of Japanese car giant he is widely credited with saving from brink of bankruptcy.

Tokyo District Court h banned Ghosn from contacting his wife Carole despite several petitions from tycoon's legal team, who have described measure as "cruel" and a "punishment." But couple will be able to talk via videoconference for an hour, a spokesperson for family said in a statement released late Thursday in Paris.

"After eight months without slightest contact and seven requests to lift this ban, we have been informed that Mr Ghosn and his wife Carole will only be able to talk via a single videoconference call," said statement.

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spokesperson ded that call will be limited to one hour and lawyers will be present. "y will have to limit mselves to discussion topics defined by judge. content of conversation will n be transferred to judge and prosecutors." family reiterated ir plea for se "excessive, cruel and inhumane bans" to be lifted so couple's "fundamental rights" can be respected.

It is just over one year since Japanese prosecutors boarded Ghosn's plane at a Tokyo airport, sending shockwaves through business community.

65-year-old tycoon spent 130 days in detention before winning bail ahe of a trial likely to take place in spring next year.

He strenuously denies all charges against him and is seeking to have case thrown out, arguing prosecutors and Nissan investigators have acted illegally during probe into his alleged misconduct. 

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