Ousted Nissan chairman Ghosn's wife asks G20 leaders for help

Carole Ghosncalled on leaders to hold Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe accountable for what she calls 'hostage justice system' of the country

The wife of former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn has asked G20 leaders to help her husband who is facing legal battle in Japan. Pictured, Japan PM Shinzo Abe. EPA 

The wife of ousted Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn has again called on world leaders, who have gathered in Japan for a G20 summit, to help raise the issue of her husband's treatment in the country where he is facing financial misconduct charges.

Mr Ghosn, who holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenship, has denied the charges and says he is the victim of a boardroom coup at Nissan Motor. While he has been released on bail, he remains restricted from contacting his wife.

Carole Ghosn called on leaders including US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron to hold Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe accountable for what she has repeatedly called the country's "hostage justice system".

"My husband's basic human rights have been violated. And all of this came about because a few people at Nissan were working to prevent a merger between Nissan and Renault, which resulted in a corporate coup," she said in a statement on Saturday.

Her comments come a day after Ghosn abruptly cancelled what would have been his first press conference since his arrest in Tokyo in November. His lawyers cited concern that it could invite retaliation by Japanese authorities.