Former Nissan Motor Co. boss Carlos Ghosn on Wednesday justified his daring escape from Japan last week, saying he could not expect a fair and speedy trial under the country's "inhumane" justice system.

"There was no way I was going to be treated fairly, no sign that I'll have a normal life for the next four or five years," said Ghosn as he unleashed a storm of criticism against Nissan and Japanese authorities about his November 2018 arrest, at a press conference in Beirut.

He appeared in public for the first time since his escape to Lebanon, speaking for about an hour before taking questions from media organizations hand-picked by him to attend.　Most Japanese media organizations including Kyodo News were denied entry to the press event organized by a French company hired by Ghosn.

[Anadolu Agency/Getty/Kyodo]

"It's not very difficult to come to the conclusion you're going to die in Japan, or you're going to get out," Ghosn said. "I did not escape justice. I fled injustice and persecution, political persecution."

As widely expected, Ghosn reiterated his innocence over alleged financial misconduct and suggested there was a government-backed coup to oust him from the automaker.

"I am here to clear my name. These allegations are untrue, and I should have never been arrested in the first place," Ghosn said. "The allegations are baseless."

Ghosn pointed the finger at some individuals whom he believes were behind his ouster, but declined to name incumbent Japanese government officials, saying he wanted to avoid creating a complicated situation between Lebanon and Japan.

But in response to a reporter's question, he said the top level of the Japanese government, or Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was not involved in his ouster from Nissan.

The individuals he criticized included former Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa and Nissan outside director Masakazu Toyoda, a former senior industry ministry official who Ghosn said was a "link between Nissan and the authorities."

Ghosn refrained from talking about his bold escape from Japan during the two-and-a-half-hour press conference.

Japanese investigative sources said Ghosn traveled to Osaka from Tokyo on a shinkansen bullet train on Dec. 29, before flying out of Kansai International Airport on a private jet. He arrived in Lebanon via Turkey on Dec. 30.

The Japanese government says Ghosn's departure was illegal. Shortly after the press conference ended, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's deputy chief, Takahiro Saito, released a statement saying Ghosn failed to "justify his acts."

"(His) one-sided criticism of the Japanese criminal justice system is totally unacceptable," Saito said. "Our office is determined to coordinate with relevant authorities and to take whatever measures we have in our power to bring defendant Ghosn to justice in Japan."

Going forward, Ghosn said he is ready to "stay a long time in Lebanon" and continue to fight to restore his "tarnished" reputation.

"I can't accept the fact that fabricating a story and lying about something at such a scale can win or can prevail," he said. "I am ready to stand trial anywhere if I can have a fair trial."

Ghosn has been charged with underreporting his remuneration at Nissan by several billions of yen over eight years and aggravated breach of trust for allegedly misusing the automaker's funds.

His arrest came as a result of a plea bargain struck by Tokyo prosecutors and two Nissan executives. An investigation by the automaker concluded that financial misconduct by Ghosn and a former representative director caused Nissan a loss totaling over 35 billion yen ($322 million).

Ghosn claimed that his arrest was due to a plot by Nissan, which wanted to stop him from seeking a merger with alliance partner and largest shareholder Renault SA, an arrangement the Japanese automaker feared would hurt its independence.

While taking the helm of Nissan, Ghosn doubled as chairman and CEO of the French automaker, which holds a 43.4 percent stake in the Japanese automaker. He has now been stripped of all his positions.

Since his arrest, Ghosn has criticized Japan's judicial system as unfair, including bail conditions that prohibited him from contacting his wife, Carole, without permission.

His trial was expected to start in April, but it is unlikely that he will return to Japan as Lebanon does not have an extradition treaty with Japan. He holds Brazilian, French and Lebanese nationality.

[Anadolu Agency/Getty/Kyodo]

Gist of Carlos Ghosn's remarks  at a press conference

-- reiterates his innocence of the alleged financial misconduct.

-- says he was interrogated eight hours a day by Japanese prosecutors without access to a lawyer.

-- claims he fled Japan to protect himself and his family, not to evade justice.

-- says his arrest was plotted by former Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa and others.

-- points out extensive collusion between Nissan and Japanese prosecutors over his case.

-- declines to reveal how he fled to Lebanon from Japan.

Chronology of key events surrounding Carlos Ghosn after arrest

Nov. 19, 2018 -- Ghosn is arrested by Tokyo prosecutors on suspicion of understating remuneration in Nissan's securities reports during five years through March 2015.

Nov. 22 -- Nissan's board dismisses Ghosn as chairman.

Nov. 26 -- Mitsubishi Motors dismisses Ghosn as chairman.

Dec. 10 -- Ghosn is indicted on charge of violating financial instruments law. He faces fresh arrest warrant over remuneration underreporting that is suspected to have continued through March 2018.

Jan. 11, 2019 -- Ghosn is charged with aggravated breach of trust and understating his remuneration for three years through March 2018. Ghosn's defense counsel requests his release on bail.

March 6 -- Ghosn is released from Tokyo Detention House following 108 days in detention.

April 4 -- Tokyo prosecutors serve fourth arrest warrant on Ghosh over fresh allegation of aggravated breach of trust, this time related to misusing Nissan funds and causing it a loss.

April 9 -- Ghosn claims his innocence and "conspiracy" by Nissan executives behind his arrest in video footage released by his lawyers.

April 22 -- Tokyo prosecutors indict Ghosn on a fresh charge of misusing Nissan funds paid to a distributor in Oman. Ghosn's defense counsel requests his release on bail.

April 25 -- Tokyo court grants bail for Ghosn. Ghosn leaves Tokyo Detention House.

Dec. 29 -- Ghosn leaves his home in Tokyo alone. Private jet believed to carry Ghosn and two American men departs from Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture.

Dec. 30 -- Private jet arrives in Lebanon via Turkey. Ghosn says he is "now in Lebanon" in a statement released by his U.S. representative.

Dec. 31 -- Tokyo court revokes Ghosn's bail, transfers 1.5 billion yen ($14 million) deposited with it by Ghosn to state coffers.

Jan. 7, 2020 -- Tokyo prosecutors obtain an arrest warrant for Ghosn's wife Carole for alleged perjury in court in connection with his suspected misuse of company's funds.

Jan. 8 -- Ghosn holds a press conference in Beirut.