Japanese prosecutors ask judges to question Ghosn's wife: NHK

TOKYO (Reuters) – Prosecutors in Tokyo have asked judges to question Carlos Ghosn's wife in connection with funds allegedly unjustified by the former Nissan Motor leader, said Japan's public broadcaster, NHK on Sunday.

Prosecutors arrested Ghosn on Thursday with suspicion that he had tried to enrich at Nissan's expense, in another dramatic twist that his lawyers said was an attempt to crush him.

NHK said the prosecutors suspect that Ghosn siphoned off a portion of payments through a company where his wife, Carole, is a leader to buy a boat and a boat.

The prosecutors asked her to meet them for the voluntary question as a colorless witness, but the request was rejected, prompting them to ask the judges to question her for their behalf before opening the first hearing on the allegations, the broadcaster said.

Such a request gives the judges the opportunity to question doubts about witnesses who refuse to testify, according to NHK.

Prosecutors were not immediately available for comment on the NHK report.

Ghos's chief lawyer, Junichiro Hironaka, said Thursday's prosecutors confiscated Ghosn's cell phone, documents, notebooks and diaries along with his wife's passport and cell phone.

Under Japanese law, prosecutors could hold Ghosn for up to 22 days at no charge. The fresh arrest opens the possibility that he will be interrogated again without his attorney present, who is the norm in Japan.

The additional fee will probably extend Ghosn's attempt, which is expected to begin later this year, his lawyer has said and added that loss of access to Ghosn's trial-related documents could make his client's disadvantage in fighting his case.