MEP Eero Heinäluoma called for a “full investigation” of the role auditing firm PwC is alleged to have played in efforts by oligarchs to evade EU sanctions, in a statement ahead of the scheduled debate in the Plenary on the findings of the Cyprus Confidential investigation of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

In a written statement ahead of the debate which is scheduled for Wednesday’s plenary in Strasbourg, Heinäluoma (S&D, Finland), the European Parliament’s negotiator on the EU anti-money laundering legislation, said that after a request by the Socialists & Democrats group, MEPs will discuss “the latest money laundering scandal in Europe”.

“Millions of leaked documents expose how accountants, bankers, auditors and lawyers in Cyprus helped Russian oligarchs circumvent EU sanctions. This is a stark reminder of why Europe urgently needs stronger anti-money laundering rules that will ensure the enforcement of sanctions,” the MEP said.

“We are currently working on a deal that would clamp down on the evasion of sanctions by oligarchs and their enablers. It has to be finalised by the end of the year,” he added.

“Moreover, we call for a full investigation of the auditing giant PwC’s alleged role in helping Russian oligarchs evade EU sanctions,” he noted.