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Carlos Ghosn on Twitter announces press conference on April 11

Wednesday, 3rd April 2019

Tokyo prosecutors are considering pressing a fresh charge against Carlos Ghosn, local media said Wednesday, as the former Nissan boss announced on Twitter he would be giving his side of the story.

"I'm getting ready, to tell the truth about what's happening. Press conference on Thursday, April 11," the tweet sent early Wednesday afternoon said.

Japanese investigators are reportedly eyeing a possible aggravated breach of trust charge related to at least $32 million in Nissan funds transferred to a distributor in Oman.

Some of the money is believed to have been used to buy a luxury boat allegedly used by Ghosn and his family, according to a source familiar with the matter.

If Tokyo prosecutors were to proceed, it would be the fourth criminal charge against the 65-year-old former high-flying auto executive, who denies all allegations.

Ghosn already faces three charges of financial misconduct over allegations he under-reported his compensation and sought to transfer personal losses to Nissan's books.

He spent more than 100 days in detention after his shock arrest at a Tokyo airport on November 19 and has denied the charges against him.

The office of Ghosn's lead lawyer in Tokyo said it had no information.

If confirmed, the press conference would be the first time Ghosn has addressed the media since his surprise release on bail on March 6.

Tokyo district prosecutors are discussing the case with more senior colleagues before deciding whether to move ahead, Japanese media said.

If prosecutors were to file new charges, it would not necessarily mean Ghosn returns to the detention center where he spent more than three months before winning bail on March 6, according to a local lawyer.

"The prosecutor can hit Ghosn with new charges without sending him back to prison. Prosecutors would need to again justify detention by saying he was a flight risk and could destroy evidence and the chances seem fairly slim," said the lawyer, who asked to remain anonymous.

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