Nissan’s Kelly released on bail as court declines prosecutors’ plea

Former Nissan Representative Director Greg Kelly has been released on bail after over a month in detention on financial-misconduct charges, as a Tokyo court turned prosecutors’ request to keep the American executive in custody.

Kelly and Carlos Ghosn were detained upon arrival in Japan on November 19 on suspicion of understating Ghosn’s earnings in financial statements for years.

The arrests jolted the worldwide car industry and strained Nissan’s alliance with Renault SA. Ghosn is still in custody.

A crowd of Japanese and worldwide reporters and camera crews had gathered since Tuesday morning waiting for Kelly’s release. Kelly left the Tokyo Detention Center with his lawyer, Yoichi Kitamura, by taxi at around 10:45 p.m., a Reuters witness stated.

Kelly stated that he had not falsified any documents and looked forward to restoring his honor in court, including that he wanted to return to his family as soon as possible, Japanese public broadcaster NHK noted.

There was no response at Kitamura’s office when contact by Reuters for discussion.

The ruling by the Tokyo District Court followed an appeal by Kelly’s family in Tennessee. He paid bail of 70 million yen ($640,000) in cash, the court stated.