Ghosn's "Victory Escape" imitates Conan? The mystery of hiding in the piano case and waiting for the escape remains to be solved

Reality is often more exciting than fiction, but we often draw inspiration from fiction.

On December 31, 2019, Carlos Ghosn, the former CEO of Nissan Motor Co., who was supposed to be under residential surveillance in Tokyo, staged a "New Year's Escape" without telling the truth.

It is reported that with the help of civilian security teams and former special forces members, Ghosn successfully left Japan and arrived in Lebanon. The entire scheme was so well organized that even Ghosn's own defense attorneys had no knowledge of it. It is reported that Ghosn's wife took the lead in this operation, but she did not admit it when facing reporters.

Currently, Japan’s Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Customs and Procuratorate are facing overwhelming criticism from the public. At noon on December 31, Ghosn issued a statement that once again disgraced Japan: "I am in Lebanon, but I am not fleeing in fear of crime, but to avoid Japanese political and judicial persecution."

A year ago, Ghosn’s arrest in Japan shocked the world. As the former chairman of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, the world's largest auto alliance, Ghosn was once one of the most powerful people in the global automotive industry.

Under his leadership, the three companies of Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi have experienced considerable growth, especially Nissan, which has achieved resurrection. Such a person with a distinguished record was arrested by Japanese police at Tokyo Haneda Airport on November 19, 2018.

Without this escape, according to the original plan, Ghosn will be tried in April 2020. If found guilty, he is likely to face 10 years in prison and a huge fine.

Because of concerns that he would escape, Japanese courts have repeatedly rejected Ghosn’s bail requests. In the case of Ghosn’s bail, his defense lawyer, a well-known figure in the Japanese legal circle, Hironaka Toichiro Isao It’s a must.

Ghosn’s escape from Japan also put Hironaka Toichiro in an awkward position. After the news of Ghosn’s escape was announced, Hongzhong was blocked by reporters at the door of his law firm.

On Tuesday, Hironaka Toichiro told the media that he was also confused. “I don’t know more than what the media reports.” “I want to ask him, ‘How could you do this to us? '".

What kind of musical instrument box is it hidden in?

The one on the right is a double bass, which is much larger than a cello

Ghosn’s residence in Japan is closely surrounded by police and monitored. The entrance of the house is equipped with cameras and is connected to the Internet and other means of communication. Also intercepted by Japanese police. Therefore, Ghosn’s Japanese defense lawyer believes that the absconding operation requires “large-scale organizational cooperation.”

Some news shows that planning for this escape plan started three months ago. A Lebanese website reported that Ghosn received help from a Western security company. French newspaper Le Monde cited anonymous sources as saying Ghosn's wife helped arrange the escape by relying on her brother's connections in Turkey.

Lebanese local TV station MTV reported that Ghosn escaped hiding in an oversized musical instrument box after a Christmas band visited his home. Sources said the band performed a New Year's performance at Ghosn's home with police approval and surveillance. The true identities of the band members are likely to be former members of the special forces who were recruited here to rescue Ghosn. The time is also very particular, and the implementation stage is chosen during the Christmas and New Year holidays, when the vigilance of the Japanese police is greatly reduced.

This kind of plot looks more exciting than the novel, but it is actually a bit familiar. In the Conan movie version "The Fist of Cyanosis", Conan also used a similar method to smuggle into Singapore.

Some insiders analyzed that if Ghosn really left hiding in a musical instrument box, then this oversized musical instrument box is likely to be a bass box, and the bass is also called a double bass. This kind of double bass is the largest bowed string instrument in the violin family. It is much larger than the cello in appearance, about 120-220 centimeters tall, which is about the same height as a person. The case of the double bass is used to hold Ghosn, who is less than 1.7 meters tall, which is theoretically feasible.

Of course, there is another theory that Ghosn first fled to a Japanese village, then fled by boat from Japan to South Korea, and then to Lebanon.

However, Ghosn’s wife called the media reports “pure fiction” and refused to give more details. She said she would hold a press conference next week.

How to go through customs?

While on bail, Ghosn did not wear electronic monitoring equipment. This greatly helped Ghosn's smooth escape.

Some media reported that Ghosn arrived at the local Kansai Airport after being taken away from his residence. This airport is located in a remote location. Industry insiders analyzed that because Ghosn’s three passports are in the hands of lawyers, it is very likely that he disguised himself here and used fake passports to deceive customs officers.

Not only that, not even the pilot flying the jet knew Ghosn was on the plane. In this way, Ghosn took this private plane to fly to Istanbul, Turkey, where he transferred to a Bombardier Challenger business jet to fly to Brut, and entered Lebanon with a French passport.

After the incident, Japanese customs also launched an emergency investigation. Indeed, no record of Ghosn’s departure was found, which led to suspicion that Ghosn may have left under a pseudonym and a forged passport. A Lebanese government source confirmed: "Ghosn entered Lebanon under a different name, not as Carlos Ghosn."

According to the New York Times, Ghosn had entered Lebanon many times before. For example, in order to leave the detention center as soon as possible, Ghosn actually wore a janitor's uniform and slipped out of the building among the staff.

Did the Lebanese government secretly assist?

It is reported that this rescue operation has the support of high-level officials of the Lebanese government. However, Justice Minister Salim Jreissati clarified in an interview with the New York Times: “The (Lebanese) government has nothing to do with the decision to come (Ghosn). How on earth did he We don’t know anything about it.”

Ghosn has Brazilian, French and Lebanese nationalities. He was born in Brazil and moved to Beirut with his parents (his father is Lebanese) when he was 6 years old. In his hometown in Lebanon, Ghosn has always held a very high status. The Lebanese government has for years revered the business magnate.

It is reported that the Lebanese ambassador to Japan visited Ghosn every day during his detention. In 2017, Lebanon issued a stamp bearing Ghosn's face. Some Lebanese people even hope that Ghosn can run for president, and Ghosn also said in his hometown speech that the Lebanese government can learn from his case of restructuring Nissan Motor's debt.

After Ghosn was arrested in 2018, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly stated: "Carlos Ghosn is a well-known Lebanese citizen who represents Lebanon's success story abroad. In this severe test ", the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs will stand by him to ensure that he gets a fair trial."

In December 2018, a Lebanese advertiser erected 18 billboards in the capital Beirut, saying "We are all." It’s Ghosn” slogans expressing support.

Lebanese Interior Minister Machinok even declared forcefully: "A Lebanese phoenix will not be scorched by the Japanese sun."

In addition, Japan and Lebanon have not entered into criminal relations Extradition treaty, Ghosn cannot be extradited without Lebanese consent.

The strange woman Ghosn’s wife

Le Monde said that according to the information it obtained, the entire operation was carried out by Ghosn’s second (current) wife Carole Ghosn Planning, she arrived in Beirut on the same flight. After reuniting with her husband, Carol said it was "the best gift of my life."

Although Carol denies being deeply involved in the rescue plan, the outside world seems more willing to believe that she is a key figure in this "prison break". Carol, 52, was born in Lebanon. She has three children with her ex-husband and founded a luxury brand in New York. In 2016, Ghosn and Carol held a grand wedding at the Grand Trianon in the Palace of Versailles in Paris.

After Ghosn was imprisoned, Carroll actively campaigned for Ghosn and sought help from French President Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and U.S. President Trump.

She publicly complained about the inhumane practices of the Japanese prosecutors, including being held in a cell of less than 7 square meters without heating, and trying to gain leverage every day through interrogation, intimidation, and reprimands in the absence of a lawyer. Grace confession.

After Ghosn was released on bail in April last year, his residence in Tokyo was forcibly searched by prosecutors. Carroll described himself as being "treated like a terrorist" and unable to speak to Ghosn.

According to foreign media reports, the Turkish Interior Ministry began investigating Ghosn’s arrival in Istanbul.

It is said that Ghosn only stayed there for an hour and a half before diverting to Lebanon. Turkish NTV television reported that seven people were arrested, including four pilots.

This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.