Carlos Ghosn released on $4.5M bail

This time, the conditions of his release are much stricter.

Carlos Ghosn, Nissan's embattled former chairman, has been released from jail after posting bail for the second time in as many months.

Ghosn was re-arrested on April 4, 2019, on new suspicions of aggravated breach of trust. Many again called the arrest a coup orchestrated to silence the former executive; he was scheduled to hold a press conference on April 11 to address his first arrest. Instead, he released a pre-recorded video to claim his innocence.

This time, walking out of jail cost Ghosn 500 million Japanese yen, a sum that represents approximately $4.5 million. Posting bail the first time cost him one billion yen, or about $9 million. The new conditions are much stricter, however. He is notably not allowed to see or contact his wife, Carole, without getting permission, according to Reuters.

Ghosn accused his former colleagues at Nissan of "backstabbing," and he continues to claim he's innocent.

"I am grateful that bail has been granted, and thankful for my family and supporters in Japan and around the world who fought for my release. I maintain my innocence and am committed to vigorously defending myself against these meritless and unsubstantiated accusations," he said in a statement published shortly after his release. "Restricting communications and contact between my wife and me is cruel and unnecessary," he added.

Japanese prosecutors haven't indicated when Ghosn's trial will start. He faces a long list of accusations, including aggravated breach of trust, under-reporting his salary, and misappropriation of company funds, and shifting personal losses to Nissan. The BBC reports 65-year old Ghosn has at least four charges against him. He could spend several years in jail if convicted.