Carlos Ghosn has fled heavily guarded house arrest in Japan during a dramatic escape in which he is believed to have been smuggled out inside a case for a musical instrument.

The ousted Renault and Nissan boss reportedly organised a concert at his Tokyo property to dodge detectives who had been watching him for nine months, before making his way to Lebanon via two private jets.

It means the 65-year-old will now avoid a blockbuster criminal trial for corruption which had been due to start in April - and makes him the most high-profile white collar fugitive in global history.

In a statement issued after he arrived in Lebanese capital Beirut, Mr Ghosn attacked the Japanese justice system, claimed he had been the victim of political persecution and vowed to tell his story to the world's media next week.

He said: "I am now in Lebanon and will no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system where guilt is presumed, discrimination is rampant, and basic human rights are denied.

“I have not fled justice - I have escaped injustice and political persecution."