Greg Kelly, a Nissan board member and a key lieutenant of Carlos Ghosn, has been released on bail after five weeks in detention, even as his former boss is expected to remain behind bars until at least the new year.
The latest episode in Nissan’s corporate meltdown, which has captivated Japan and thrown an international spotlight on its justice system, was broadcast live by the state-owned NHK. Mr Kelly, who was accompanied by his Japanese lawyer, appeared expressionless as he was led from the glass front doors of the Tokyo Detention Centre into a waiting taxi.
His car, pursued by cameramen on motorcycles and followed from the air by media helicopters, drove on largely empty late-night roads to an undisclosed location. His lawyer has said Mr Kelly, who suffers from a back condition and had, according to his family, been due to receive surgery, would receive treatment at a Tokyo hospital as soon as he was released.