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Luxleaks whistleblowers trial begins in Luxembourg Luxleaks whistleblowers trial begins in Luxembourg
(about 4 hours later)
Three Frenchmen have gone on trial in Luxembourg accused of leaking thousands of confidential documents revealing corporate tax deals.Three Frenchmen have gone on trial in Luxembourg accused of leaking thousands of confidential documents revealing corporate tax deals.
The LuxLeaks scandal cast light on how the small country helped giant companies slash their global tax bills.The LuxLeaks scandal cast light on how the small country helped giant companies slash their global tax bills.
Two ex-employees of accounting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and a journalist are on trial. They could face up to 10 years in jail.Two ex-employees of accounting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and a journalist are on trial. They could face up to 10 years in jail.
The government and companies named say their tax practices are not illegal.The government and companies named say their tax practices are not illegal.
It was the biggest leak of its kind until the Panama Papers this year showed how the rich and powerful use tax havens to hide their wealth.It was the biggest leak of its kind until the Panama Papers this year showed how the rich and powerful use tax havens to hide their wealth.
Q&A: Panama PapersQ&A: Panama Papers
How assets are hidden and taxes dodgedHow assets are hidden and taxes dodged
Antoine Deltour, a former auditor at PwC, is accused of passing information on clients to French journalist Edouard Perrin, who first broke the story. Antoine Deltour, a former auditor at PwC, is accused of passing information on clients to French journalist Edouard Perrin, who first broke the story on French TV in 2012, in collaboration with the BBC's Panorama.
Mr Deltour faces charges of theft, revealing business secrets, violation of professional secrets and money laundering.Mr Deltour faces charges of theft, revealing business secrets, violation of professional secrets and money laundering.
Raphael Halet, the other former PwC employee, is suspected of a separate leak and faces the same charges. Mr Perrin is accused of being an accomplice.Raphael Halet, the other former PwC employee, is suspected of a separate leak and faces the same charges. Mr Perrin is accused of being an accomplice.
Public interestPublic interest
Prosecutors say that together the data was later used by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists in their November 2014 story. The tax breaks involved 340 companies.Prosecutors say that together the data was later used by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists in their November 2014 story. The tax breaks involved 340 companies.
While Luxembourg has laws protecting whistleblowers, they are confined to exposing illegal practices. Civil rights groups have attacked the case.While Luxembourg has laws protecting whistleblowers, they are confined to exposing illegal practices. Civil rights groups have attacked the case.
"Deltour should be protected and commended, not prosecuted. The information he disclosed was in the public interest," said Cobus de Swardt, the Managing Director of Transparency International."Deltour should be protected and commended, not prosecuted. The information he disclosed was in the public interest," said Cobus de Swardt, the Managing Director of Transparency International.
Mr Deltour told AFP news agency he had no regrets. Nearly 130,000 people have signed an online petition in his support.Mr Deltour told AFP news agency he had no regrets. Nearly 130,000 people have signed an online petition in his support.
The scandal put pressure on European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who led Luxembourg when many of the tax breaks were implemented.The scandal put pressure on European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who led Luxembourg when many of the tax breaks were implemented.
He has denied wrongdoing and has backed new EU rules to make corporate taxation more transparent.He has denied wrongdoing and has backed new EU rules to make corporate taxation more transparent.