(Completed with other quotes)
PARIS, April 22 (Reuters) – Carlos Ghosn, former boss of the Renault RENA.PA Nissan 7201.T alliance, told BFM TV on Friday that the international arrest warrant issued against him by the French courts had “a surprising timing”, in a “politically charged” period.
He is being prosecuted for misuse of corporate assets, breach of trust and money laundering, in particular.
The former boss of Renault-Nissan has been in Lebanon since he fled Japan in December 2019, where he was to be tried for financial embezzlement.
Carlos Ghosn, who has Brazilian, French and Lebanese nationalities, is unlikely to be extradited by authorities in Beirut.
In Lebanon – as in France – extradition is based on the principle of the non-surrender of a citizen present on its soil by its own government.
“I am presumed innocent as required by French law,” he said on BFM TV. “The secrecy of the investigation has been violated since the beginning of this case,” he added.
“The timing of this arrest warrant is surprising” in a “politically charged” period, he judged.
The second round of the French presidential election takes place on Sunday.
Carlos Ghosn again denied any wrongdoing. “Not a penny of Renault, (…), Nissan” was “given to me”.
“There is absolutely no diversion,” he said.
Regarding the future of Renault, Ghosn said he was “very sad” about the development of the group, which he said had become “chilled” and “haggard”.
(Sophie Louet and Laetitia Volga)