Carlos Ghosn was arrested for the fourth time in Japan

Japanese authorities have arrested Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn for trying to earn $ 5 million at Nissan's expense for the fourth time, media reports on Nissan's payments to an Omani company have reported. .

The new arrest of Ghosn marks the most dramatic change in the humiliating downfall of Nissan's former general manager, who was once much appreciated. The Japanese Broadcasting Corporation described the new arrest as an unusual step for a person on bail.

Prosecutors in Tokyo said Mr Ghosn had caused Nissan losses of $ 5 million in two and a half years until July 2018, in order to make profits contrary to its legal obligations towards Nissan. According to Kyodo News, the losses resulted from a transfer of funds via a company located in Oman for a Ghosn-owned company.

The Japanese television channel reported that prosecutors had arrested Ghosn on suspicion of treason. "My arrest this morning is scandalous and arbitrary," Ghosn said in a statement sent by his spokesman to the United States. "It's part of another April attempt by some people to silence me by misleading prosecutors," he said, adding, "Are you stopping me as an attempt by Cassery, I'm not going to be broken, am I innocent of unfounded charges and charges against me? "

More than a dozen officials from the Tokyo prosecutor's office went to Mr. Ghosn's home early Thursday to ask him to question him, reported radio and television. She added that a silver pickup truck carrying a branch had left her residence later. In the sequence broadcast when he left the residence, his windows were covered with curtains, making it impossible to know who was inside. The Tokyo prosecutor's office was not immediately available for comment.

The arrest of Ghosn comes a day after he promised Twitter to hold a press conference on Jan. 11 to "tell the truth" about the charges against him. "After an unfair prison of 108 days, I hope and argue at most for a fair trial," Ghosn said in a statement sent via email. "I had to present my case at a press conference next week, but again, I am detained by prosecutors, but I am confident that the truth will emerge and I trust my acquittal if my trial is fair. "

Ghosn's lawyer, Junichiro Hyunaka, called his arrest "inappropriate". Sources told Reuters this week that Renault, Nissan's partner, had informed French prosecutors that they had discovered suspicious payments to a Renault and Nissan business partner in Oman, while Ghosn was the manager. general of the French manufacturer. He added that Tokyo prosecutors had confiscated the passport and cell phone of his wife's wife when they arrested Ghosn, claiming that the defense team would be arrested.

"Ghosn's wife was with him when he was arrested and they confiscated his passport and mobile phone," said Junichiro Hironaka, head of the Japanese defense.