Carlos Ghosn’s Japanese lawyers, hired after the former Nissan chairman was sent to jail in November, have asked to be removed from the case, potentially hurting the car veteran’s defence against the financial-misconduct allegations that have shocked the global car industry.
Mr Ghosn has selected Junichiro Hironaka as his new lawyer, the Sankei Shimbun newspaper reported.
The previous lawyers, including Motonari Otsuru, have notified the court that they will no longer represent him as legal counsel, according to an emailed statement Wednesday, Bloomberg reported. The team led the defence of Mr Ghosn, who has been jailed in Tokyo since his November 19 arrest and is awaiting a trial.
Despite having taken on some of Japan's high-publicity cases, Mr Otsuru is known for maintaining a low media profile and spoke publicly only once about the Ghosn case at a press conference, according to Agence-France Presse.
He cut an owlish and cautious figure, admitting that his client was unlikely to make bail before his case came to court – and saying that could take at least six months.
A former prosecutor, Mr Otsuru's representation of Mr Ghosn pitted him against one of his old colleagues.
Mr Otsuru pointedly declined to criticise the conditions his then-client was being held in, although Mr Ghosn himself said he was in a "very hard" situation and slammed authorities for refusing him bail.
Mr Ghosn, indicted for alleged misconduct including understating his income at Nissan by tens of millions of dollars, has denied wrongdoing. Prosecutors say the alleged crimes could carry a jail term of up to 10 years.
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
Credits
Produced by: Colour Yellow Productions and Eros Now
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jassi Gill, Piyush Mishra, Diana Penty, Aparshakti Khurrana
Star rating: 2.5/5
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