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Putin says Panama Papers part of U.S. plot to weaken Russia

33 Comments
By IRINA TITOVA and VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

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33 Comments
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Roldugin used the money he earned as a minority shareholder of a Russian company to buy rare musical instruments abroad and hand them over to the Russian state, Putin said.

Sure, anyone can do that. What's the big deal. Rich people know people who can shield their wealth from taxation. That's why no one need look into this any further.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The Russians deserve Putin.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Panama Papers for Putin only can not be trusted...need complete lists of ALL countries involved.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

"...described the Panama Papers document leaks scandal as part of a U.S.-led plot to weaken Russia."

Putin = Napoleon + Snowball.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

A desperate, blundering leader whose one-dimensional policies helped instigate his country's worst recession in 20 years. He really needs a foreign scapegoat at this point.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

He must really be playing that cello furiously to rack up $1.5bn in assets!

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Panama Papers for Putin only can not be trusted...need complete lists of ALL countries involved.

the list has definitely been edited. ICIJ is after all washington based...

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

Poor little Putie. The "Not me" ghost did this to me sponsored by foreign countries. Who ate the desert, "Not Me." Still no word from Xi family because of the shutdown on the internet. Freedom of speech is dangerous and China has proven it. It doesn't matter if the list was "edited." It is the proof that Putin and Xi were involved that the world needs to see. "Show me the money" has never been more significant.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

WikiLeaks: "Putin attack was produced by OCCRP which targets Russia & former USSR and was funded by USAID & Soros".

Wow, very impartial probe indeed. But why I'm not surprised that in these papers were no prominent American names? Of course that was because this probe was very unbiased and US politicians and business leaders are all crystal honest types. Or may be just because USAID and Soros did not pay for that?

@JeffLee

A desperate, blundering leader whose one-dimensional policies helped instigate his country's worst recession in 20 years. He really needs a foreign scapegoat at this point.

Are you serious? Compare Russia of 90s under Yeltsin and present day Russia, which is much stronger economically and politically (that explains all the hysteria of the West). And it seems that the West needs much more badly a scapegoat like Putin to blame him pretty much for everything - refugee crisis, IS, war in Syria, falling birthrates in Europe, high birthrates in Africa, yesterday's hangover and so on.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

Or may be just because USAID and Soros did not pay for that?

'Morning wind', indeed!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Ah, Putin never disappoints

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I'm not going to defend a thugs like Putin, but anyone with half a brain has to admit it is very odd that no Americans (from the richest country on Earth) are in these papers. (Though there may be more to come.)

Also worth mentioning is that the biggest tax haven on Earth is also that same USA. While they are busy hunting down revenue overseas and using strong-arm tactics to force the cooperation of foreign banks and governments, they give little to no cooperation in return. When the US benefits from it (and they do), they are fine with tax evasion in other countries.

Lifetime civil servants like Harry Reid can leave a lifetime of government employment with millions upon millions in the bank and not get called out on it. Civil service is the road to riches in the US these days, so I can't understand any American cackling about Putin.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Probably time for the Don to do a cover of Shaggy's "Wasn't me" ... not that rank and file Russian's believe the truth about the wealth Putin has ammased for himself and the inner circle.

However did a largely intelligent people become so brainwashed? Putin has turned Russia into a mafia state. His mafia state.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Hilarious... absolutely hilarious.

As for whether or not Americans will show up in the Panama leak, hasn't been determined yet. As well as what if the Americans' that could have been on that list, used a different company that wasn't in Panama. If none show up or only the really "poor" wealthy do, then I'd assume that any US members didn't trust that firm as much as they would trust one based in Switzerland or whatever.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

commanteer

The answer is clear, the US richest didn't have to go to Panama to retain service from Mossack Fonseca & Co since there are many attorneys and accountants in the US to provide the same service in the US.

The US business attorneys advocate off-shore funds and will gladly set up one for you for a modest fee so it's meaningless to go all the way to Panama.

That is why most US richest didn't show up in the documents.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Americans can just hide their money here at home or in the Caymens. Oops I mean it's all just a smear campaign by Putin.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Offshore accounts by itself isn't illegal, so long as they declare the proceeds for taxes. It becomes illegal when they don't.

But see, again blaming it on outsiders. Yes, outsiders may or may not be an issue (we don't know unless there's evidence), but nevertheless the more important issue is what's happening in the Papers. This is similar to WikiLeaks - WikiLeaks may have gotten some documents thru less than ethical manners which is definitely an issue, but nevertheless the more important issue is what's happening in those leaked documents.

So while the blame may be on outsiders leaking the Panama Papers, Putin should keep his eyes keener on the prize - that wealthy Russians may be cheating his country's coffers. That's the more important issue and what he's gonna do about it to close the loophole.

Now, as for the other question - there's just an article about it:

http://www.japantoday.com/category/world/view/why-few-americans-appear-in-the-panama-papers

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Offshore accounts by itself isn't illegal, so long as they declare the proceeds for taxes.

Very true, but the apples and oranges we're dealing with isn't taxes, it's the origin of the money in the first place. It's one thing for legitimately earned money to be parked offshore; it's completely another when oligarchs who have expropriated sectors of their economy do so. Look at the way it is being treated by various countries: some have set their tax bureaus to task to ensure legality, while others either (or both) claim the revelations a Western plot or block access to related news altogether.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Putin the liar denier has spoken. Well, he had to say something.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Mr. Putting, complain something USA does and you don't. You were caught red hand out of your red country.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@Burning Bushv: aren't you tired to talk with silly western jackals and vultures ? Don't waste your time, bro. Putin and Russia will be always bad for them.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

That's it yamashi "la la la WE CAN'T HEAR YOU"

Heh, that's it I'm selling up, buying a cello and moving to Putinistan. I want a gazillion dollar account too....

1 ( +2 / -1 )

All of these comments were planted by the KGB.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

How dare you pick on Dear Leader, Superlib?

Président Putin investigated the claims and found himself innocent. And the Panama logo looks like that missile that hit the Pentagon. Another false flag operation from Blackwater and their alien/hybrid overlords!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If I were Putin, I'd just make some parts of Russia as tax havens lol.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Madverts

"la la la WE CAN'T HEAR YOU"

The White House refused to comment on names of US businessmen from the "Panama papers" who contributed to the Obama election campaign, like David Geffen.

Yes, my friend, keep doing the la la la thing, they can't hear you.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Huh?

The IRS will be on him if he's done anything wrong. I'm sure it was his money though, unlike your dear Don Putin who has helped himself to billions for himself and inner-circle. That my radical friend is what people are laughing at.

Bon appétit for the patriotic Denial here, there's a motherload for y'all to scoff :)

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

The IRS will be on him if he's done anything wrong

Think so? OK, let's wait and see. The start is not very promising though, Putin at least said something, the White House refused even to talk about that. And can we expect an investigation into Don Cameron family business? That would be very entertaining.

Don't choke on your patriotic denial! Have a good weekend!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Cameron is quite likely going to have to step down over this. This happens in democracies. And again, the money was HIS, not pilfered from state coffers like your Don. And the some is a joke In comparison, 30k against billions. And it was family money, Cameron is a toffee nosed elitist, not a gangster. At this point your argument seems pretty unhinged.

What exactly do you think I'm in denial about?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Madverts "I'm selling up, buying a cello and moving to Putinistan".

Keep grimacing, lad. That's the only thing you can offer to wide public." Don Putin" has successfully cut ugly heads of IS in Syria and many people around the globe are thankful for him. Pity that James Bond 007 and Lawrence of Arabia exist only in Cinematography...

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Don Putin" has successfully cut ugly heads of IS in Syria and many people around the globe are thankful for him. Pity that James Bond 007 and Lawrence of Arabia exist only in Cinematography...

The Don controls the media in Russia, it's about as credible as a bond flick. Like your patriotic delusions in Syria ....

Russian claims on Syria airstrikes 'inaccurate on grand scale',

Russian claims to have mostly bombed Islamic State targets during its Syrian campaign were wildly out of step with reality

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/05/russian-claims-syria-airstrikes-inaccurate-report

Enjoy the Denial.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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