Seven detained in Istanbul over aiding ex-Nissan CEO's escape

Turkish police forces have arrested seven people, including four pilots, as part of an investigation into how former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn managed a dramatic escape to Lebanon through Istanbul after fleeing Japan, where he was facing trial on financial misconduct charges.

An unnamed police spokeswoman told Reuters that the other detainees were two airport ground workers and one cargo worker and all the seven were expected to give statements before a court on Thursday.

Turkish-language Hurriyet daily newspaper, citing an interior ministry official, reported that Turkish border police were not notified about Ghosn's arrival, and neither his entry nor exit were registered.

People familiar with the matter told Reuters that Ghosn had arrived in Beirut on a private jet from Istanbul.

Turkish-language Hurriyet daily newspaper, citing an interior ministry official, reported that Turkish border police were not notified about Ghosn's arrival, and neither his entry nor exit was registered.

A plane carrying Ghosn arrived at 5:30 a.m. local time (0230 GMT) on Monday at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Hurriyet added, noting that prosecutors ordered the arrests after widening their investigation.

On Tuesday, Ghosn confirmed he was in Lebanon, saying he “will no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system where guilt is presumed, discrimination is rampant, and basic human rights are denied,” Ghosn, 65, said in a brief statement.

Japan’s public broadcaster NHK said on Thursday that Japanese authorities allowed the businessman, who holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenships, to carry a spare French passport in a locked case while out on bail.

SS