Lebanon Receives Interpol Warrant Arrest for Carlos Ghosn

According to Lebanese judicial sources, Interpol's so-called red notice has been delivered, on Thursday, regarding ex Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn, who has fled to Beirut during the last few days.

The sources added that the Interpol called on Lebanese law enforcement forces to arrest Carlos pending taking all legal procedures against him.

Ghosn was smuggled from Japan to Beirut by a private security company, a plan that was in the works for three months and involved transit through Turkey, where he faces trial for alleged financial misconduct.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said no decision had been taken with regards to the warrant.

Lebanon has no extradition agreement with Japan and Ghosn enjoys widespread support in the country of his childhood, where he holds extensive investments in banking and real estate.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK said on Thursday Japanese authorities allowed Ghosn to carry a spare French passport in a locked case while out on bail, potentially shedding some light on how he managed to escape despite having passports held by Japanese lawyers.

No one was immediately available for comment at the office of Ghosn’s lawyer, Junichiro Hironaka, or at the French embassy in Tokyo, or at the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office.

In past cases, when Lebanon has received red notices for Lebanese citizens resident in the country, the suspects have not been detained but their passports have been confiscated and bail has been set, the source said.