Carlos Ghosn in Lebanon, exteriors of Beirut home

A media pack gathered outside the property of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn after he fled Japan where he was awaiting a criminal trial.

Journalists were seen outside his Beirut home on Tuesday morning.

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

In a statement the 65-year-old said he was not fleeing justice but instead left Japan to avoid “injustice and political persecution” over financial misconduct allegations during his tenure leading the automaker.

He disclosed his location in the statement but did not describe how he left Japan, where he had been under surveillance.

Ghosn, who is of Lebanese origin and holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian passports, was arrested in November 2018 and was expected to face trial in April 2020.

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

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