Carlos Ghosn, former CEO of Renault-Nissan, who is facing allegations of corruption and influence peddling in France, did not appear at the start of his trial on Wednesday in Paris. Furthermore, no lawyer was present to represent him in court. Ghosn, who has now fled to Lebanon, holds citizenship in that country.
Details of the Allegations and Payments
Carlos Ghosn is accused of paying €900,000 (equivalent to one million dollars) to Rachida Dati, a former French culture minister, between 2010 and 2012. These funds were sourced from a Dutch subsidiary of the Renault-Nissan alliance. The payments are likely linked to lobbying activities on behalf of the automotive company in the European Parliament. At that time, Dati was a member of the European Parliament.
Legal Status and Possible Consequences
Ghosn faces charges of abuse of power and corruption, while Dati has been accused of accepting bribes. Both have denied the allegations, and if proven, they could face up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines. At the beginning of the trial, Dati defended herself and took the stand as the accused.
In court, the parties discussed whether the trial should continue in Ghosn's absence or be postponed. Ghosn submitted a request for postponement in a letter from his lawyers, claiming he did not receive timely notice of the trial. Lawyers representing anti-corruption organizations involved in the case, along with the prosecution, have called for Ghosn's trial to proceed in his absence. The court's decision on whether Ghosn's cases should be separated remains under consideration.
