Panama Papers Trial Begins for 27 Accused in Money-Laundering Case

The Panama Papers trial began eight years after the global money laundering scandal was uncovered, resulting in charges against 27 individuals including the founders of the now-defunct Mossack-Fonseca law firm, Jurgen Mossack and Ramon Fonseca Mora. The leaked 11.5 million files implicated influential figures such as billionaires, politicians, and sports stars. Notable individuals like Icelandic prime minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson were forced to resign due to offshore accounts revealed in the documents. A criminal trial of these individuals has commenced in a Panamanian court. If convicted, they face up to 12 years in prison.