Carlos Ghosn released on bail

The cars he made were being unveiled at the Geneva motor show, but embattled former Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance boss Carlos Ghosn took centre stage away from them.

The former Chairman had been imprisoned for 108 days but was released from the Tokyo Detention House in a small Suzuki yesterday, having posted the $US8.9 million bail. Ghosn paid the bail in cash.

While prosecutors are appealing the bail approval, the Tokyo District Court also attached conditions on Ghosn, including video surveillance, a ban on international travel, accommodation only in a court-approved facility and a cap on his internet access.

Ghosn faces up to 10 years in prison on three indictments revolving around financial misconduct, but the trial date has not been set and may be months away.

“I am extremely grateful for my family and friends who have stood by me throughout this terrible ordeal,” Ghosn said in a statement.

“I am also grateful to the NGOs and human rights activists in Japan and around the world who fight for the cause of presumption of innocence and a fair trial.

“I am innocent and totally committed to vigorously defending myself in a fair trial against these meritless and unsubstantiated accusations.”

Meanwhile, Ghosn’s French lawyers claimed his rights had been violated by his detention in Japan, submitting a large brief to the United Nations’ human rights branch.

He insisted in an interview earlier this year that his arrest was “plot and treason” in a boardroom putsch as punishment for trying to merge Nissan into Renault in a 50-50 holding company.

Ghosn is accused, along with former Nissan board member Greg Kelly, of falsifying Nissan documents to hide US$80 million in deferred compensation. Kelly was released on bail on medical grounds, though he too must remain in Japan until the trial.

Ghosn is also accused of making Nissan pay US$14 million to a business contact to cover his personal swap-contract losses.

His release comes after Ghosn dumped his lawyer after two failed bail attempts, with his new lawyer freeing his client at the first try.

He was removed from the Chairmanship of Nissan after his arrest on November 19 – the same week he was due to push the board into a full takeover and absorption by Renault.

He did a deal to resign as Renault Chairman in January, though both Ghosn and Kelly remain Nissan board members – at least until an extraordinary general meeting on April 8.