Dominican Republic would send investigators to Panama as probe widens

Santo Domingo.- Justice minister Francisco Dominguez on Wednesdaysaid prosecutors would be sent to Panama if necessary, to investigate offshore companieslinked to the Dominican Republic.

He said the issue of alleged tax evasion in which Dominicancompanies are cited is a high priority.

The official saideverything the International Consortium ofInvestigative Journalists (ICIJ) will disclose next May 9 is very important forhim, because they could be key elements to start an investigation.

Dominguez said Panama authorities have expressedwillingness to cooperate with the Dominican Republic and work to respond to hisrequest for information. "For me it is very important what can emerge fromthat investigation and the reports which the journalists’ association isresponsible for the investigation would disclose."

The ICIJ on Tuesday announced it will publish a databasewith information on more than 200,000 offshores, as part of the investigation knownas the Panama Papers.