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October 4,2021

Anna Murray 

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) obtained the leaked documents as part of the Pandora Papers, which were published on October 3 and sent shockwaves of embarrassment through powerful circles.

The Pandora Papers are the name given to the secret records. The ICIJ obtained over 11.9 million confidential files and led a team of over 600 journalists from 150 news outlets through them for two years, tracking down hard-to-find sources and digging into court records and other public documents from dozens of countries. The records were obtained from 14 offshore service firms around the world that set up shell companies and other offshore havens for clients who frequently want to conceal their financial activities.

Millions of leaked documents and the world's largest journalism collaboration have revealed the financial secrets of 35 current and former world leaders, as well as more than 330 politicians and public officials from 91 countries and territories. The files also exposed a global list of fugitives, con artists, and murderers.

The files, in particular, expose Jordan's King, the presidents of Ecuador, Kenya, and Ukraine, as well as the Czech Prime Minister and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's offshore dealings. The secret documents also reveal the financial activities of Russian President Vladimir Putin's "unofficial minister of propaganda," as well as more than 130 billionaires from Russia, the United States, Turkey, and other countries.

Such revelations must be embarrassing for those who have publicly advocated against tax evasion and corruption, as well as domestic austerity measures.