The release of the Panama Papers – 11.5 million documents leaked from the database of Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca – has resulted in waves of stories exposing the hidden wealth of politicians, celebrities and other influential figures. Three Icelandic ministers are listed as owners of offshore companies registered in tax havens.
Protesters outside Iceland's parliament, Alltinget, in Reykjavik on Monday April 4, 2016. Photo: AFP
In Iceland, the prime minister, Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, has either "resigned", "stepped aside" or taken "temporary leave" from the position, depending on what report you're reading. An estimated 10% of the Icelandic population of 330,000 protested in the streets at the start of the week at the news that the offshore company the former PM and his wife owned in the Virgin Islands was holding millions of dollars of her inheritance.
Smári McCarthy. Photo: Creative Commons
Smári McCarthy is based in Sarajevo, where he is chief technologist for the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, which is linked to the release of the Panama Papers. In 2012 he co-founded the Iceland Pirate Party with unofficial leader Birgitta Jónsdóttir and others. Following the revelations in the Panama Papers, the Iceland Pirate Party is currently the highest polling party in the country, with public support of 43%.
Listen to Philippa Tolley's conversation with Smári McCarthy.
