What's known and not known about Ghosn's escape from Japan

Former Nissan Motor Co. Chairman Carlos Ghosn fled Japan this week while awaiting trial on financial misconduct charges and appeared in Leban. A look at unfolding case of fallen superstar of auto industry:

WHERE HE IS

Ghosn, who is Lebanese and also holds French and Brazilian passports, arrived in Leban Monday using a private plane via Turkey. Lebanese Justice Minister Albert Serhan told Associated Press that Ghosn entered country with a legal passport. Ghosn, who has t appeared in public, issued a statement saying he left to avoid a “rigged Japanese justice system." He later denied his family members' role in escape, stressing he did it alone. He said he will talk to reporters next week. Serhan said Lebanese prosecutors will question Ghosn, but re are charges pending against him in Leban.

HOW HE GOT OUT

Little is kwn about how Ghosn was able to leave Japan. He picked a time where security lapses are more likely — government offices are shut down all week for New Year holidays. But his whereabouts were closely monitored, including by 24-hour security camera cover, and his lawyers supposedly h all his passports. He was able to use internet only in his lawyer's office, and he was forbidden from seeing his wife, Carole Ghosn. y were recently allowed video calls, but only in presence of his lawyer. His chief lawyer Junichiro Hironaka said he h kwledge of escape and was stunned by it. dramatic disappearance has set off wild speculation he was carted off inside a musical instrument case.

GHOSN AS FUGITIVE

Interpol issued a wanted tice Thursday for Ghosn. Leban, which does t have an extrition treaty with Japan, must w decide how to respond. Expectations are low that Leban would hand over Ghosn. Interpol's Red tice is a n-binding request for law enforcement ncies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a fugitive. tice is t an arrest warrant. Legal experts say Ghosn's ability to travel will be restricted.

JAPAN'S RESPONSE

Japanese prosecutors raided Ghosn's Tokyo home Thursday. Prosecutors h opposed his release on bail. Turkey me several arrests as part of an investigation into how he passed through country. Japanese government officials have t said anything in public about Ghosn's escape but y revoked 1.5 billion yen ($14 million) bail Ghosn posted on two instances. Trying someone in absentia is rare in Japan. A trial dealing with allegations against Nissan as a company and Greg Kelly, ar Nissan executive, will continue. A date has t been set. Japanese authorities rarely eng in flamboyant manhunts across borders. Japan has extrition treaties with U.S. and South Korea.

CHARGES

Ghosn, first arrested in vember 2018, has repeatedly denied charges against him. Part of allegations centers around Ghosn failing to report in official documents compensation promised to him. Ghosn has said those payments were never decided on and that Nissan h filed ditional papers concerning compensation. Or charges of breach of trust involve Nissan money allegedly diverted to Ghosn for personal gain, including payments in Oman and Saudi Arabia. Ghosn has said those payments were for legitimate services. Prosecutors have released few specifics, saying y will do so at trial. If convicted on all counts, Ghosn could face maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

GHOSN AS STAR

Ghosn built a stellar reputation for his manrial acumen in turning around Nissan over last two deces from near-bankruptcy to one of biggest global auto brands. Several of his books on manment were translated in Japanese, and re's one that depicts him as a manga comic book character. Especially in his early years, he was cheered as a celebrity, mired for his hard work, and dubbed "7-11" after convenience-store chain for hours he kept. He is still a national hero in Leban, with close ties to senior politicians. After his arrest, he has become a symbol of protest against Japan's so-called “host justice” system, which human rights vocates have long criticized as unfair and relying too much on confessions. Ghosn was held in detention for 130 days before posting bail.

OR TWISTS

Two Lebanese lawyers have submitted a report to Public Prosecutor's Office in Beirut against Ghosn, saying he violated Lebanese law by visiting Israel. two countries are in a state of war. Ghosn visited Israel in 2008 to launch Nissan electric cars, and met prime minister and president. Journalists, including those from Japan, are flocking to Ghosn's rose-colored house in Beirut's affluent neighborhood of Ashrafieh. A Lebanese lawyer who said he worked for Nissan told reporters building belonged to Nissan, which Ghosn also confirmed. Nissan officials have pointed to Ghosn's extravagant lifestyle, including expensive chandeliers and a sarcophagus buried beneath transparent walkways at Beirut residence.

NISSAN'S FUTURE

Nissan's brand has been seriously tarnished, and its sales and profits are tumbling. Ghosn was such a key figure for brand in Japan, where foreign executives are still relatively rare, that it would be a challenge for anyone to fill his shoes. His successor, Hiroto Saikawa, resigned in September after financial misconduct allegations related to a dubious income surfaced against him. Nissan picked Makoto Uchida, who used to he its China business, as its new chief executive. What happens to Nissan's alliance with Renault SA of France, engineered by Ghosn, is a bigger question. Experts say alliance is irreversible because so much is shared between automakers, including model development, manufacturing sites and vehicle parts. Ghosn has said his arrest was prompted by those who opposed a fuller merger between Nissan and Renault. Renault owns 44% of Nissan, but in recent years, until Ghosn's downfall, Nissan h grown more profitable than Renault. Nissan has been historically closely associated with Japanese pride. Uchida has affirmed importance of alliance and promised to restore Nissan's credibility.