TOKYO: A senior official of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office denounced former Nissan Motor Co. Chairman Carlos Ghosn on Sunday for jumping bail and fleeing to Lebanon to avoid a trial in Japan for alleged financial misconduct.

The flight of Ghosn, 65, is "flagrant disregard of our country's judiciary proceedings and can amount to an act of crime," Takahiro Saito, deputy chief prosecutor of the office, said in a statement.

By breaking his own pledge to present himself and escaping overseas, Ghosn is trying to evade criminal punishment, Saito said, adding that that his act cannot be justified.

The office plans to uncover how he made the escape and deal with the matter appropriately, he said.

Saito said the prosecution has rigidly implemented procedures laid down by law, and carried out investigations and court proceedings while respecting the rights of the defendant.

Since his release on bail on April 25 last year, Ghosn has been able to have contact with his lawyers freely and make preparations for court hearings, he noted.

"It is clear that the rights of the defendant has been guaranteed adequately," Saito said.

The prosecution has asked for cooperation from the Metropolitan Police Department and is analyzing footage of surveillance cameras installed around the Tokyo home of Ghosn on bail. It has issued an international wanted notice for Ghosn through Interpol.

JIJI Press