Situation of Carlos Ghosn – Q&A – from the press briefing (31 December 2019)

Q: What is France’s attitude concerning the flight of Carlos Ghosn?

A: The French authorities learned of Carlos Ghosn’s arrival in Lebanon through the press. He was being prosecuted in Japan, and measures were in place to keep him from leaving Japanese territory.

The French authorities were not informed of his departure from Japan and had no knowledge of the circumstances of this departure.

Mr. Ghosn received consular protection, like all French nationals, from the early hours of his arrest in Japan. His situation, and the implementation of certain legal principles, were closely and continuously monitored by our Embassy in Tokyo. Our ambassador in Japan maintained regular contact with Mr. Ghosn and his attorneys, at the request of the highest French officials.