Interpol Issues ‘Wanted’ Notice To Lebanon For Carlos Ghosn

Carlos Ghosn – a wanted man

Interpol has issued a wanted notice for former Nissan executive Carlos Ghosn after it was revealed that he had jumped bail in Japan and fled to Lebanon.

The Associated Press reports that the Interpol-issued Red Notice is a non-binding request to law enforcement agencies worldwide that they locate and provisionally arrest a fugitive. However, the Red Notice isn’t an arrest warrant and Lebanon is not required to arrest Ghosn.

While recently speaking with the media, Lebanese justice minister Albert Serhan said Lebanon “will carry out its duties" in the case. However, Serhan confirmed that Ghosn entered the country on a legal passport and seemed to suggest the nation is unlikely to hand Ghosn over to Japan.

Ghosn arrived in Lebanon on Monday after passing through Turkey on a private jet. Turkey revealed that it made a series of arrests on Thursday as part of an investigation into how Ghosn was able to so easily pass through the country.

Initial reports that he had been hiding in a box meant to contain musical instruments for a band that played at his house are apparently wide of the mark. Instead, it's more likely that he was smuggled onto a private cargo jet in Osaka, bound for Istanbul, Turkey. The Turks aren't particularly happy about being involved and have arrested four pilots, two ground handlers, and the operations manager of the cargo company for their involvement in the escape.

In a recent statement, Ghosn denied reports that his family helped him flee from Japan.

“The allegations in the media that my wife Carole and other members of my family played a role in my departure from Japan are false and misleading. I alone organized my departure. My family played no role," he said.