The Tokyo District Court on Tuesday granted bail to former Nissan Motor Co. Chairman Carlos Ghosn, meaning the ex-auto tycoon could be released for the first time since his arrest on Nov. 19 last year.
Ghosn's bail was set at 1 billion yen (9 million U.S. dollars) after a request was filed with the court on Thursday by Ghosn's new legal team.
His new team now includes lawyer Junichiro Hironaka who is known for winning high-profile cases.
It was the third attempt his legal team had requested bail for their client, after the first two were rejected by the court.
While out on bail, Ghosn will be under a travel ban, ensuring he does not leave Japan. Other provisos of his bail have not been made clear, but according to sources to the matter they are based around making sure Ghosn cannot tamper with evidence.
Ghosn is facing two charges of under-reporting his remuneration in Nissan's securities reports and another allegation of aggravated breach of trust.
Ghosn, widely recognized as the brains and brawn behind Nissan's rapid turnaround since 1999, has rigorously maintained he has in no way violated financial regulatory laws in relation to reporting his earnings, and has maintained that Nissan incurred no losses from his private investment dealings that have led to allegations of breach of trust.
Holding Brazilian, French and Lebanese citizenship, Ghosn appeared in public at a hearing for the first time on Jan. 8 and was granted permission to voice his opinions in court about the myriad charges facing him.
He has maintained that he had been wrongly accused and unfairly detained based on meritless and unsubstantiated accusations. Enditem
