French prosecutors have issued an international arrest warrant for the former head of Nissan Motor Co. and Renault Carlos Ghosn.

The investigating judge has issued five international warrants for the arrest of Ghosn, as well as the current owners or former directors of the Omani company Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, a car distributor in Oman.

Ghosn laundered millions of dollars of Renault funds through an Omani car distributor for personal use, including the purchase of a 120-foot yacht.

Ghosn fled justice on charges of financial wrongdoing in Japan to Lebanon by hiding in a box of musical equipment.

After the escape, Ghosn initially welcomed the French investigation, stating that he believed in the French justice system, which would allow him to prove his innocence. Ghosn's spokeswoman declined to comment on the arrest warrants.

The latest arrest warrant will not fundamentally change Gon's personal situation. After leaving Japan, he remains in Lebanon, where he lives as an international fugitive. Lebanon does not extradite its citizens, while Ghosn has citizenship in Lebanon, France and Brazil.