Carlos Ghosn, the most influential person in the automotive industry of the last decade, sued Nissan and a number of officials, demanding damages totaling more than a billion dollars, writes Bloomberg. Ghosn, who was arrested in Japan in 2018, says his reputation has been badly damaged, but his finances have also “suffered”.

Carlos Ghosn, then head of Renault-Nissan, was arrested in 2018 when he arrived in Japan and held in harsh conditions for several months, sometimes interrogated for up to eight hours a day. He was charged with serious financial fraud.

Ghosn fled Japan in late 2019 by hiding in a large audio equipment shipping crate, taking advantage of the fact that X-ray baggage screening is not required for private flights at Osaka’s Kansai Airport. Then, also thanks to accomplices, he arrived in Beirut on two planes of a private company from Turkey, on the route Osaka – Istanbul – Beirut.

A documentary about Ghosn’s escape was released on Netflix: The Fugitive: The Curious Case of Carlos Ghosn (2022).

Now, still in Lebanon, Ghosn is suing Nissan as well as others associated with the company, saying the allegations against him will affect his image as well as his financial situation for years to come.

Ghosn was considered by many to be the most powerful person in the auto industry at the time of his arrest. He was known for his efficiency, earning the nickname “le cost killer” for the way he turned Nissan around. He was an extremely famous voice, but he was also known for his love of luxury and extreme severity.

It is widely believed that the arrest was orchestrated by Nissan bosses who did not want a merger with Renault and were unhappy with Nissan’s status in the alliance with Renault, believing that the Japanese group deserved more power in the alliance.

The case was opened in Lebanon’s Court of Cassation, but it remains to be seen whether Japan will consider Ghosn’s appeal, especially since Lebanon does not have an extradition treaty.