Lebanon, Japan begin 40-day countdown to decide where Carlos Ghosn will stand trial: sources

Jan 25, 2020 | News On Japan

Jan 25, 2020 (Japan Times) - Lebanon and Japan have about 40 days to decide whether ousted Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi boss Carlos Ghosn will be extradited to Japan or stand trial in Lebanon, a judicial source and a source close to Ghosn said on Thursday.

Ghosn fled to Lebanon, his childhood home, just before New Yearâ€™s Day as he was awaiting trial on charges of under-reporting earnings, breach of trust and misappropriation of company funds, all of which he denies.

Japan and Lebanon have no extradition agreement and Lebanon does not typically hand over its nationals. Ghosnâ€™s legal team is hoping to hold the trial in Lebanon, where the former auto executive enjoys deep ties and hopes to clear his name.

The Japanese side has in recent days asked Lebanon to clarify what files Tokyo needs to send as part of an official extradition request, the two sources said.

â€œThey came back and requested a clarification. Today, we sent that to the Japanese,â€ the judicial source said.

That communication is significant because, according to Interpol rules on due process, it triggers a 40-day period by the end of which agreement must be reached between the countries on where and how Ghosn will stand trial, the sources said.

The source close to Ghosn said Japan must now either send a formal extradition request to Lebanon or send Ghosnâ€™s file to Beirut and agree on a process for trying him there.

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