French Culture Minister and Former Renault-Nissan Executive Face Trial on Charges of Corruption and Abuse of Trust
A high-profile trial is set to take place in France involving two prominent figures: Rachida Dati, the country's Minister of Culture, and Carlos Ghosn, the former head of the Renault-Nissan alliance.
According to official law enforcement sources and confirmed by a spokesperson from the French Ministry of Justice, both individuals are accused of corruption and abuse of authority across different spheres of activity.
Rachida Dati is suspected of passive corruption and influence peddling related to her role as a Member of the European Parliament.
Prosecutors allege that between 2010 and 2012, she received approximately 900,000 euros from Renault’s French subsidiary under the guise of consultancy fees, although investigators believe she performed minimal work and used her parliamentary position to promote Renault’s interests.
Meanwhile, Carlos Ghosn, who has been a fugitive since fleeing Japan in 2019 amid allegations of financial misconduct, is accused of abuse of power, breach of trust, and active corruption.
He has been under international arrest warrants since 2023, but Lebanon, where he resides, typically refuses to extradite its citizens.
Ghosn holds dual citizenship in France and Lebanon.
The case's progression could significantly impact Dati's political ambitions, as she is contemplating running for Paris mayor next year and may also participate in upcoming parliamentary by-elections in France.
Previously, both deny any wrongdoing.
The developments have attracted considerable public and political attention because of their potential influence on France’s political landscape and European Union affairs.