Tokyo court rejects Nissan Ghosn’s recent bail request

The Tokyo District Court on Tuesday rejected former Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn’s request for release on bail following his indictment last week on two recent charges, making it possible the once-feted executive remains jailed for months.

Lawyers for Ghosn have appealed the decision and could get a response under the next day.

Ghosn awaits a lengthy criminal trial that could extend six months away, his lawyers have stated. It is rare in Japan for defendants who reject their charges to be granted bail ahead of trial.

The executive has remained in a detention center located in Tokyo since November 19, when he was first arrested on accusations of under-reporting his salary for five years through 2015.

The court did not provide a reason for rejecting bail. At a hearing last week, when his lawyers asked for reasons for his ongoing detention, the court cited concerns that Ghosn would attempt to flee or tamper with evidence.

Ghosn was indicted on Friday on charges of aggravated breach of trust for temporarily moving personal investment losses to Nissan in 2008, and understating his revenue for three additional years through March 2018. He has rejected the charges.