Nissan’s ex-CEO Carlos Ghosn re-arrested in Japan on new claims

Former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn has been re-arrested in Tokyo while out on bail pending trial over claims of financial misconduct.

Prosecutors said the 65-year-old had been detained over suspicions he caused Nissan $5m (£3.8m) in losses, according to reports.

In a statement, Ghosn said his re-arrest was "outrageous and arbitrary".

Ghosn was first arrested in November 2018 and faces two charges of financial misconduct and one of aggravated breach of trust.

Ghosn's lawyer told a news conference they would strongly appeal against the latest arrest.

Ghosn, who denies any wrongdoing, was recently released on bail after 108 days in custody.

Tokyo prosecutors entered Ghosn's residence before 06:00 local time on Thursday (21:00 GMT Wednesday) and took him to their office on suspicion he had misappropriated Nissan funds for personal use, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported.

Ghosn's lawyer said it was almost unheard of to arrest someone after being released on bail.

"I am innocent of the groundless charges and accusations against me," Ghosn said in a statement released by his representatives.

He said the arrest was "part of another attempt by some individuals at Nissan to silence me by misleading the prosecutors".

"Why arrest me except to try to break me? I will not be broken."

The move is the latest twist in a case that has attracted global attention.

Ghosn was the architect of the alliance between Nissan and French carmaker Renault and brought Mitsubishi on board in 2016. He is credited with turning around the fortunes of Nissan and Renault over several years.

Prosecutors said Ghosn's latest arrest related to transfers of Nissan funds totaling $15m between 2015 and 2018.

They suspect $5m of that amount was used by Ghosn for personal expenditure.

Local media had previously said that authorities had been building a new case against him involving payments to a dealership in Oman.

In Japan, prosecutors are permitted to re-arrest a suspect on a slightly different accusation, with approval from the courts. The clock is then reset and another 20 days of interrogation can begin.

Ghosn’s re-arrest comes a day after he used Twitter to announce he was “getting ready, to tell the truth” at a press conference next week, in what would be his first media appearance since he was released on bail in early March.

A post on a newly created Twitter account under Ghosn’s name said: “I’m getting ready, to tell the truth about what’s happening. Press conference on Thursday, April 11.”