Embattled former Nissan Motor Co. Chairman Carlos Ghosn denied allegations of financial misconduct Tuesday in his first chance to publicly defend himself after nearly 50 days behind bars.

¡°I am innocent of the allegations made against me,¡± Ghosn told the Tokyo District Court in English, adding that he has been ¡°wrongly accused and unfairly detained.¡±

Dressed in a dark navy blue suit, a haggard-looking Ghosn ¡ª handcuffed and with a rope tied around his waist ¡ª entered the courtroom at about 10:30 a.m. He was given some 20 minutes to tell his side of the story, including translation time.