Ahead of his 65th birthday on Saturday, former Nissan Motor Co. Chairman Carlos Ghosn may see his birthday wish come true: regaining his freedom, albeit conditionally.
After 107 days behind bars, starting with his sudden detention at Tokyo's Haneda airport when he was accused of engaging in financial misconduct, the Tokyo District Court on Tuesday granted Ghosn bail. The court rejected a last-ditch effort by prosecutors to reverse its decision to release Ghosn on bail, paving the way for him to be released as soon as Wednesday. He is expected to be released once a bond of ¥1 billion is paid.
"I am extremely grateful for my family and friends who have stood by me throughout this terrible ordeal," Ghosn said in a statement released Tuesday night. "I am also grateful to the NGOs and human rights activists in Japan and around the world who fight for the cause of presumption of innocence and a fair trial. I am innocent and totally committed to vigorously defending myself in a fair trial against these meritless and unsubstantiated accusations."