Former Nissan Motor Co. Chairman Carlos Ghosn's defense team on Monday urged prosecutors to explain in detail why they decided not to charge the automaker's CEO for his involvement in their client's alleged financial misconduct, according to people close to the matter.
The request was made during a pretrial proceeding held to discuss the former auto tycoon's alleged crimes. The procedure was the first in relation to the charge of underreporting remuneration in Nissan securities reports leveled at the 65-year-old Ghosn.
During the proceeding — held to narrow down points of dispute ahead of a trial and attended by a judge, prosecutors and lawyers — Ghosn's defense requested an explanation over the April 26 decision not to indict Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa for his part in approving securities reports cited in Ghosn's indictment, the sources said.