Scandalous LuxLeaks whistleblower verdict upheld

A press release of Fabio De Masi

Mar 15th, 2017

LuxLeaks whistleblowers Antoine Deltour and Raphael Halet have seen their conviction for theft upheld in today’s appeal court verdict. Deltour received a six month suspended prison sentence and a 1500€ fine and Halet a 1000€. The journalist Edouard Perrin was again acquitted of the charges brought against him by the prosecutor.

The vice-chair of the European Parliament’s Panama Papers Committee of Inquiry Fabio De Masi (DIE LINKE.) comments after the verdict from Luxembourg:

“It is scandalous that those who did an invaluable service to society, risking their careers, have again been found guilty while the rich and powerful that rob hundreds of billions of euros from citizens in the EU through tax avoidance and tax evasion face no consequences.”

“The European Commission has failed to propose a framework for the protection of whistleblowers despite repeated calls by the European Parliament and concrete suggestions on the table. This is also a personal responsibility of Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker who promised at the LuxLeaks committee hearing in 2015 to address the question at European level - without result so far.“

“Our parliamentary group will request the topic again to be put on the next plenary agenda and maximise pressure on the Commission. We will support Deltour and Halet in any further legal steps - also at the level of European courts.”