Profile in Focus | The Panama Papers Part 6 (January 2017 - June 2017)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile in Focus | The Panama Papers Part 6 (January 2017 - June 2017)
“Meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin with Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif” by The Press Service of the President of Russia via www.kremlin.ru under CC BY 3.0 and CC BY 4.0.
In January 2017, the Panama Papers continued to make headlines around the world. In Canada, it was revealed that the country was being used as a tax haven by offshore cheats, as shown by the leaked documents. Several Canadians were implicated in the scandal, including Maryam Safdar, who was named as a beneficiary in the Panama Papers. A Quebec company called 9203-9619 QUEBEC INC. was also exposed for hiding millions from tax collectors. The Toronto Star published a series of articles highlighting the various aspects of the Panama Papers, such as snow washing, the use of ghost addresses, and the role of nominee directors in hiding the true owners of companies.
Meanwhile, the founders of Mossack Fonseca, the law firm at the center of the Panama Papers scandal, were arrested in Panama on corruption charges. The firm was accused of bribery and money laundering, leading to their detention. The arrest of the partners further intensified the scrutiny on Mossack Fonseca and its operations.
In February, the Panama Papers investigation received significant recognition as it won the Pulitzer Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in journalism. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and its partners were honored for their extensive work in uncovering the offshore activities and tax evasion schemes exposed by the leaked documents.
The repercussions of the Panama Papers extended to various countries. In South Africa, nearly 2,000 individuals were identified as having offshore connections. Panama itself faced criticism, with its vice-president denying the country's status as a tax haven. The European Parliament also examined the impact of the schemes revealed by the Panama Papers on the economies and finances of member states.
In April, the one-year anniversary of the Panama Papers leak arrived, highlighting the enduring impact of the revelations. The Miami Herald won two Pulitzer Prizes for its investigative reporting on the Panama Papers, and the ICIJ received further recognition for its groundbreaking project.
Pakistan's Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, faced a corruption ruling related to the Panama Papers. The country's Supreme Court ruled that Sharif could remain in power but ordered further investigation into his financial affairs. The case sparked protests and debates in Pakistan, with critics calling for Sharif's resignation.
As the months passed, the Panama Papers continued to shed light on the offshore activities of prominent figures around the world. The scandal also highlighted the role of technology in enabling such investigations and the significant amounts of money being hidden overseas by the ultra-rich.
Overall, the Panama Papers remained a prominent global story, exposing the extent of tax evasion and offshore activities while leading to legal action, investigations, and public pressure on those implicated in the leaked documents.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on June 13, 2023
Previous: Profile in Focus | The Panama Papers Part 5 (October 2016 - December 2016)
Next: Profile in Focus | The Panama Papers Part 7 (July 2017 - December 2017)
Return to start: Profile in Focus | The Panama Papers
Putin Is A War Criminal
Russia Is A Terrorist State:
Part 1 (1990s)
Part 2 (2000s)
Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Part 4 (2016 - 2019)
Part 5 (2020 - 2021)
Part 6: (2022+)
Sources for Profile in Focus | The Panama Papers Part 6 (January 2017 - June 2017):
Netanyahu Cronies Involved in Premier's Probe Pop Up in Panama Papers - HAARETZ January 7, 2017
Where science and nonsense collide - nature January 12, 2017
"Panama papers": the "Icelandic paradox" - Le Monde January 23, 2017
'Tax haven' Canada being used by offshore cheats, Panama Papers show - CBC News January 24, 2017
Maryam Safdar named in Panama Papers as beneficiary - Al Jazeera January 24, 2017
A ghost address in Quebec to travel millions of dollars - CBC Radio Canada January 25, 2017
The Media’s Risky Love Affair With Leaks - The New York Times February 6, 2017
Panama detains Mossack Fonseca founders on corruption charges - Reuters February 11, 2017
Panama detains Mossack Fonseca founders - DW February 12, 2017
Panama charges two Mossack Fonseca partners over Brazil link - BBC News February 12, 2017
Royal Bank closes 40 accounts following internal Panama Papers probe - CBC News March 8, 2017
Panama Papers: Nearly 2000 South Africans identified - news24 March 15, 2017
Panama is ‘not a tax haven’, says vice-president - EURACTIV March 24, 2017
ICIJ Wins Pulitzer Prize for Panama Papers Project - Pulitzer Center April 10, 2017
Panama Papers investigation wins Pulitzer prize - The Guardian April 11, 2017
Panama raids offices of Mossack Fonseca law firm - Reuters April 12, 2017
Panama Papers: Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif survives corruption ruling - BBC News April 20, 2017
Pakistan Supreme Court Rules Sharif Can Stay In Power - RFERL April 20, 2017
Panama Papers: Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif to face investigators - BBC News April 20, 2017
Panama Papers: Pakistan’s PM remains in office - Al Jazeera April 20, 2017
Pakistan's Nawaz Sharif Escapes Ouster in Corruption Ruling - TIME April 20, 2017
Panama grants bail to Mossack Fonseca founders in Brazil corruption case - Reuters April 21, 2017
Panama Papers law firm partners get bail - DW April 22, 2017
Nawaz Sharif and the Panama Papers Judgement in Pakistan - The Diplomat April 25, 2017
Maltese prime minister summoned by Panama Papers committee - POLITICO May 4, 2017
How Tech Made the Pulitzer Prize-Winning Panama Papers Coverage Possible - Fortune May 30, 2017