The “Panama Papers” were a journalistic investigation, published in media in many countries, based on the leak of millions of documents from the Mossack Fonseca law firm.
The Panama Papers trial has been “a long journey” and “when you wake up from a nightmare you don’t wake up happy,” Mossack said.
However, he ruled out that he had thought of suing anyone after the sentence, which can be appealed by the prosecution.
“We’re not in the mood to see who we’re going to sue right now,” said Mossack, who became emotional as he recalled his partner Ramon Fonseca, who died in May, nearly three weeks after the end of the trial hearings.
“My father (…) died as a result of a persecution that began eight years ago,” said Raquel Fonseca, daughter of the firm’s co-founder.
Due to the scandal, Mossack Fonseca had to close down, while the creation of shadow companies in the country fell dramatically.
In several countries, senior officials have been forced to resign and others have been convicted in connection with these investigations.
Guillermina Mc Donald, Mossack’s lawyer, said that “the money did not come from any crime,” and described the accusation of money laundering as “disgraceful.”
Panama’s new president, José Raúl Mulino, said on Monday that the “Panama Papers” scandal was an “international hoax” intended to undermine the country’s financial system.
This argument was also put forward by the firm’s lawyers, although they did not provide details of this alleged conspiracy.
“This case began as a frontal attack on our country’s corporate platform,” said Daika Indira Levy, a lawyer for Fonseca.
However, Gerard Ryle, executive director of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), which published the Panama Papers, defended their publication.
“By revealing hidden truths, as we did with the Panama Papers, we give the public the information they need to demand accountability and push for reform,” Ryle said after the ruling.
Add Comment