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Nissan Ex-Chair Set for First Public Appearance After Escape

Associated Press

   BEIRUT - The disgraced former chairman of Nissan is expected to speak
   to journalists in Beirut on Wednesday, more than a week after his
   dramatic escape from Japan ahead of his trial for alleged financial
   misconduct.

   The highly anticipated news conference by Carlos Ghosn will be first
   public appearance since he smuggled himself from Tokyo to Beirut,
   arriving in the Lebanese capital where he grew up and is regarded by
   many as a national hero.

   Dozens of local and international journalists are expected to attend.
   Lebanese authorities have not made any comments about the news
   conference and it was not immediately clear whether they intend to
   summon him for questioning.

   Ghosn's daring and improbable escape has perplexed and embarrassed
   Japanese authorities after he skipped bail and managed to flee the
   country despite supposedly rigorous surveillance.

   Media reports have said that he left his residence alone, met two men
   at a Tokyo hotel, and then took a bullet train to Osaka before boarding
   a private jet hidden inside a case for musical equipment. He flew to
   Istanbul and was then transferred onto another plane bound for Beirut,
   where he arrived Dec. 30.

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