When Japanese authorities arrested former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn on November 19, prosecutors asked for the maximum detention time of 10 days.
After the initial period expired, prosecutors asked for a 10-day extension. As a result, the executive’s release was expected to take place on December 10. That might not happen, though, as a new report from Japan claims Ghosn’s detention will be extended until the end of the year.
The Sankei newspaper cited unnamed sources who claimed Tokyo prosecutors plan to arrest Carlos Ghosn again on a fresh claim of underreporting his income. If the report cited by Reuters is accurate and authorities approve the maximum detention for that case, the former chairman of Nissan would remain in custody until December 30.
Initially, the Brazilian-born businessman was arrested on suspicion of conspiring with former Nissan Representative Director Greg Kelly to understate his compensation from 2010 to 2014. Prosecutors said Ghosn hid about half of the actual 10 billion yen ($88 million) he received as pay.
The fresh charges reportedly cover the same crime committed from 2015 to 2017, when the suspects allegedly underreported Ghosn’s income by about 4 billion yen ($35.4 million). The former executive hasn’t been able to respond to the allegations, although public broadcaster NHK said he denied them. The Tokyo prosecutors’ office declined to comment on Sankei’s report.
Under Japan’s laws, crime suspects can be kept in custody for 10 days and the period can be extended for another 10 days if a judge approves a request from a prosecutor. At the end of the period, prosecutors must file a formal charge or let the suspect go.
However, prosecutors can arrest the same suspects again for a separate crime, in which case the process is repeated. It’s not uncommon for suspects to remain in detention for months without formal charges and without bail.
