Panama Papers leak: IT worker arrested at firm in Geneva

The suspect has denied having any involvement in the data leak

(Joe Raedle/Getty)

An information technology worker has been arrested at Mossack Fonseca, the center of the Panama Papers leak scandal.

The employee had been placed in detention on suspicion of removing confidential documents, Le Temps reports. The suspect denied involvement in the data leak while prosecutors seized computer equipment and searched the company’s office.

“A procedure has been opened by the public ministry of Geneva following a complaint made by Mossack Fonseca,” a spokeswoman for the city prosecutor told The Guardian.

An anonymous person leaked 2.9 terabytes of documents to the International Consortium of Journalists in April revealing off-shore shell companies used by politicians, public figures and criminals in the US and Europe.

Geneva prosecutors announced the investigation back in April shortly after the leak embarrased world leaders.