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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Juliette Garside and Philip Oltermann

Panama Papers whistleblower speaks out: ‘Politicians must act – now’

Panama Papers front pages
The Panama Papers leak comprised 11.5m files from the law firm Mossack Fonseca. Illustration: Guardian Design

The anonymous whistleblower who leaked the Panama Papers has stepped forward to speak about their life in hiding, saying they believe the German government violated an agreement to provide adequate protection for them and their family.

Known only as John Doe, the whistleblower has never disclosed their identity or their gender. In a wide-ranging interview published in the German magazine Der Spiegel, the whistleblower said they feared a revenge attack and may never feel safe enough to reveal their name. “I may have to wait until I’m on my deathbed,” they said.

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