At 9: 00 pm Beijing time on June 8, 2020, Ghosn finally appeared in a dark suit, white shirt and red tie, as always calm and confident. Arriving at the venue in advance, he asked to start the press conference in advance, but the staff refused: "Wait another five minutes."
Later, in a recent 150-minute press conference, Ghosn spent 70 minutes describing the unfair treatment he suffered during his stay in Japan and explaining the allegations made by Nissan. Later, he accepted questions from the global media in Arabic, English, French and Portuguese.
Why did you hold a press conference?
Ghosn first said at the press conference that this was the first time that he had been granted freedom of speech since he was prosecuted in June 20 18 1 1.
One day a year ago, Ghosn tried to appeal to Japanese judges and inspection teams, but he was trapped in handcuffs. I haven't seen my family for more than six weeks because of my long stay in Japan. Even for more than eight hours, he was tortured without a lawyer present.
In fact, Ghosn said, "I don't know why I was tortured. This is a great torture to my personal human rights. Therefore, I was forced to admit some untrue facts at that time. " During the 130 days of detention, I fought for my innocence and had the first chance to clarify myself in front of everyone. Therefore, "I hope that by telling some facts, everyone will know more about the truth."
Accusations against Japan's judicial system
"Japan's judicial system violates basic human rights. I personally accuse the Japanese judicial system of mistakes, and I should not be arrested. My family and friends have experienced great pain in the process of complaints from Japanese media, Nissan executives and prosecutors. "
Ghosn repeatedly stressed at the press conference that the Japanese government used some very distorted information as evidence. However, "the evidence is groundless. In the past 14 months, I have suffered a lot. " At the same time, Ghosn pointed out: "Why do prosecutors disclose incorrect information to the media? In order to delay the investigation, I was repeatedly detained, my prosecution documents were reviewed, my loopholes were found, I was not allowed to hold a press conference, I was not allowed to use my computer and mobile phone, and I was isolated from the outside world. It took me 14 months of energy. "
The arrest storm is actually related to Toyota.
"This is an organized conspiracy", Ghosn is very direct.
Ghosn said that Nissan's performance began to decline at the beginning of 20 17, and I decided to support the alliance-wide rectification of 20 16 10. At that time, the board of directors unanimously approved me as co-CEO. But four months later, I was voted unanimously to step down. "This is not normal," Ghosn repeatedly stressed.
And who organized this conspiracy? Ghosn mentioned important information points such as Toyota's board of directors, Nissan's board of directors and Japanese government. Later, he explained the complaint of Nissan's board of directors in detail, but in the whole press conference, Ghosn did not explain in detail why and how the above-mentioned related subjects made this conspiracy.
Interpretation of Nissan's complaint
For Nissan's allegations against former CEO Ghosn, Ghosn himself explained several of them at the press conference.
1, concealing the underreporting of wages
Ghosn said, this is my main crime. "As a foreign director, I hope to pay my remuneration through the exchange rate contract. Everyone voted in favor of this resolution, which will not bring additional costs to the company and will not bring losses to the company. " In addition, Ghosn also claimed that Nissan's board of directors was willing to pay 9 billion yen in taxes to solve the problem, but Japanese prosecutors rejected Nissan's proposal.
2. CEO reserve expenditure
Regarding the use of 1 1 10,000 euros CEO reserve, Ghosn said that the CEO reserve is part of the company's budget and must be approved by the board of directors and the legal department. The process is very complicated. "If I am the only one signing, it is impossible to access it. It can only be used after everyone agrees on the budget, "Ghosn added. "They said that the CEO reserve is that I take money casually and then give it to my friends. This is all fake. "
3. Spend at the birthday party in Versailles.
"Accused me of having a secret room at Versailles. In fact, because Renault is a big customer of Versailles, we have given Versailles 65,438+0,000 euros. In order to thank us for our funding, the curator of Versailles offered to use this conference room for free. " Ghosn said that this is a normal business exchange because it is a gift from the curator. "We held a banquet at Versailles, and the catering and service were paid."
4. Real estate around the world
Ghosn said: "I have many properties all over the world, but they are actually Nissan properties. This is not held in secret, but the treaty signed by the company's top management on 20 13, and also signed by the legal finance department. Moreover, the treaty stipulates that these properties can be repurchased after I use them. "
5. pass it on to my sister
Because Ghosn's sister is the president of the Chamber of Commerce in Rio de Janeiro, Nissan chose a place in Rio de Janeiro to build a new factory and paid her a thank-you fee.
6. Special relationship with Oman dealers
Ghosn explained that automakers hope to find better car dealers through innovative incentives, and the Middle East is an area where Japanese cars have not been fully developed, so they paid this fee to promote better sales data. "Didn't say there is a special relationship. Enterprises have business dealings with dealers in Oman, Lebanon, Qatar and other countries, and the bonuses paid to these people are also within the full production range, even less than those of competitors, "Ghosn said.
Excerpts from answering questions from journalists from various countries
1. Q: Why didn't you show the evidence before?
Ghosn: Because I didn't have the right to speak in Japan before, now many people help me. I'm free. I have a lot of evidence. My lawyer is also assisting me in providing evidence.
2. Q: What are your plans now? How do you find a reasonable judicial system to defend yourself when you become a global refugee?
Ghosn: I believe in miracles. I can prove my innocence. I am proud to be back in Lebanon, and I am grateful for the opportunity to speak. In the next few weeks, I will put all the evidence together to prove that I have made a lot of contributions to the automobile industry.
Q: In Japan, you are locked in a small cell, but returning to Lebanon is equivalent to being locked in a bigger cell. You may be wanted all over the world in the future. Is it worth it?
Ghosn: I'm talking to my lawyer about how to turn this into a political event. I am free in Lebanon, not a prisoner. I can surf the Internet with my mobile phone. People here are very friendly to me. However, I will not falsify evidence, nor will I lie.
4. Q: You want Nissan to be independent, but this independence needs to be won. Did you suggest that Nissan merge with other companies?
Ghosn: I never suggested that Nissan and Renault merge. I just emphasize cooperation. I am trying to eliminate the idea that Nissan is completely independent, and I am also trying to eliminate the idea that the French government wants to merge. But now nothing has happened, and now it is completely backwards.
5. Question: You don't want to cause a holiday between Nissan and Lebanon, but which leaders of the Japanese government pose a threat to you? Have you decided to stand trial in Lebanon?
Ghosn: Personally, I think there are senior Japanese government officials involved in this conspiracy, but who is involved? I can't say that I can't make the relationship between the two countries more tense.
In addition, I can try anywhere, as long as the trial is reasonable and legal. In Japan, my lawyer said that I might not get a fair trial. And I have to wait five years to get an unfair result. I don't see any hope at all. I didn't see any change during my bail, which was a kind of torture for me. I can't just sit back and wait. If there is an opportunity, I am willing to be tried in a fair court.
6. Q: Why did you choose Lebanon?
Ghosn: Because I am of Lebanese descent. I can go to France and Brazil, but the route to Lebanon is the shortest.
Q: The Japanese prosecutor said that he could discuss extradition with the Lebanese government. Are you worried about being extradited?
Ghosn: At present, the Lebanese government has not promised not to extradite me, but I respect Lebanese laws.
8. Q: You are a respected CEO in Japan, but now you have violated Japanese law. Why is it illegal?
Ghosn: Obviously, I am a successful entrepreneur in Japan. However, being accused in Japan, you can't defend yourself and protect yourself. Prosecutors have violated the law at least ten times in the process of trying me, but why are they not responsible? I don't regret the time I experienced in Japan, but I regret offending some people at work.
9. Q: Are the French government and President Macron involved?
Ghosn: First of all, France passed the Francis Act. Due to the pressure of the French government, Nissan lost its right to vote in Renault, which made them very dissatisfied and caused a rift between the two sides. I accepted this fact, but for the Japanese, they couldn't understand the result, so I explained it to them at that time and finally they accepted it. We respect the independence of enterprises and accept the arrangements made by the government.
10, Question: Have you been abandoned by the French government?
Ghosn: Yes, I was abandoned without the commitment and assistance of the French government. But I hope they haven't given up on me. I won't be above the law, but I don't want to be trampled underfoot.
1 1: Question: Will you file a counterclaim against Nissan and Renault?
Ghosn: This is not my goal, but I will not give up my rights. I haven't resigned from Renault, but when I was in a Japanese prison, they fired me. I ask for early retirement, and I have the right.
12: Question: (Escape from Japan) This incident will affect your life. Have you thought about anxiety?
Ghosn: It should be said that everything has worries. However, whoever is the plaintiff has the right to speak. But I don't think I'm guilty. I have no chance to prove my innocence in Japan. The place to prove my innocence is definitely not Japan. I can also choose Brazil and France, and I will get a fair trial wherever I am.
13: Question: When are you going to run away?
Ghosn: When I was unfairly tried for the first time, I wanted to escape from Japan. The judge told me that when I tried to open the court in September 2020, I felt hopeful, but it was later pushed to 2022, and I was desperate. They kept postponing the trial, and I realized there was something wrong with it.
Second, I am eager to return to my family and see my family and children. But the Japanese judicial system prevented me from meeting them. I doubt whether I will ever see my wife again in my life.
14, Question: Do you have any requirements for the French government and President Macron?
Ghosn: No. The French government has not yet determined my crime.
15, Question: Did a court in France ask you to appear in court in the past? 20 12 why do you want to change your tax status?
Ghosn: I haven't received a subpoena from the French court. Even if there is, there is a chance for me to prove my innocence instead of forging evidence to prove my guilt.
Everyone has the right to modify their tax status. I discussed this problem with my lawyer. Because I have worked in Nissan, I decided to pay taxes in Amsterdam for the merger of Nissan and Renault and to ensure my neutrality.
16, Question: Will Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance continue without you?
You can continue. But it needs the support of certain rules. Many people think that consistency is the premise of cooperation, but this is wrong. But I am not optimistic about the future development of the alliance.
17, Question: Many people doubt that the Lebanese judicial system is incapable of handling your case?
Ghosn: I don't agree with you. Lebanon can guarantee me a fair trial.
18, Question: Unfortunately, the merger of Alliance and FCA failed. If you return to Nissan now, how can you restart the cooperation with Renault?
Ghosn: First of all, from my point of view, my decision to cooperate with FCA is not wrong. But today's question has nothing to do with Renault. Today's theme is why I left Japan.
19, Question: Your sister is the president of the Chamber of Commerce in Rio de Janeiro. Is it reasonable to pay her a thank-you fee?
Ghosn: In the enterprise, this thing is flexible. At that time, I hoped to seize this opportunity quickly. I can't say whether it is right or not, but I hope to seize this business opportunity at this moment.
20. Question: Your friends say you are honest, so is it personal morality to accept the gift from Versailles?
Ghosn: It's as normal as buying a car at a discount. This is the commercial support of Versailles, and other meals and services are paid by me. There may be something wrong with the ledger, but it's not my personal moral problem.
At this point, the 150 minute press conference is over.
However, after the press conference, looking back, the whole press conference was more like a one-man show by Ghosn. The escape statement on June 5438+February 3 1 day was extended, and the feud between Ghosn and Nissan was still confusing.
Ghosn did not say what the specific conspiracy between Nissan and the Japanese government was, which also laid the groundwork for his future actions. How will this matter progress in the future, what measures will Nissan take for the conference and what role will Toyota play in it? Cheyou headlines will continue to pay attention.
This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.