Kremlin says Panama leak theft, offshores not illegal

MOSCOW, May 10 (PRIME) -- The Kremlin thinks the Panama Papers were “a theft,” while offshores are not illegal, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Tuesday.

Germany’s Sueddeutsche Zeitung published documents allegedly coming from Panama’s law firm Mossack Fonseca, which indicate involvement of some world leaders in offshore schemes. The latest batch of information was published late on May 9.

“I would not try to link our de-offshorization with the Panama Papers. These events are completely different. The de-offshorization of the Russian economy is one thing, and you know that no one prohibited offshores, there is nothing illegal in this, it is important to remember. Tax dodging is illegal here, as well as attempts to avoid taxes,” Peskov said.

“Offshores themselves are not categorized as something illegitimate. While the Panama Papers are a theft, we should probably call a spade and spade.”

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