Ghosn: I’m the victim of a Nissan plot

As predicted, Ghosn was framed because paybacks are a bitch

Carlos Ghosn is claiming a plot against him by Nissan executives caused his spectacular downfall.

In his first media interview since his stunning arrest more than two months ago, Ghosn told Japanese news organization Nikkei that he had "no doubt" that the allegations against him are the result of "plot and treason" by Nissan executives who opposed his plan to deepen the automaker's integration with its French partner Renault.

One of the most prominent figures in the global auto industry, Ghosn has been detained by Japanese prosecutors since November 19.

During the Nikkei interview, he reiterated his denial of charges of financial misconduct, which have cost him his top roles at Nissan, Renault and Mitsubishi Motors — the three companies he brought together to form the world's biggest carmaking alliance.

The 64-year-old business leader's fall from grace has raised questions about the future of the alliance, which makes one in nine cars sold worldwide and employs more than 450,000 people.

In the interview published Wednesday, Ghosn rejected suggestions that he ran Nissan for nearly two decades as a "dictatorship."

"People translated strong leadership to dictator, to distort reality" and for the "purpose of getting rid of me," he told Nikkei.