Up to 9 years in prison for Mexicans involved in "Panama Papers" case

The 33 Mexican citizens under investigation for the "Panama Papers" case could face up to nine years in prison, according to the president of the Mexican Institute of Public Accountants, Leticia Hervert.

In an interview with Efe, Hervert said that the non-payment of taxes is punished with a fine "of almost 100% of the non-paid amount," and if the origin of the money can't be fully explained, "it can lead to a prison sentence of three months to nine years."

Even more, other parallel investigations, like one for money laundering, can be launched also, Hervert expressed.

The Tax Administration Service (SAT) reported that 33 businessmen and former politicians are being investigated in relation to the massive leak of 11.5 documents from Panamanian company Mossack Fonseca.

One of the most important names in the list is that of favoured government contractor Juan Armando Hinojosa, who hid some US$100 million dollars in tax heavens, as well as the former head of Mexican oil company Pemex.

There is also a business associate of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán and two executives from the main TV networks of the country, Televisa and TV Azteca.

At least 18 of these suspects are already facing an audit and other two are being investigated per other governments request, according to Aristóteles Núñez, head of the SAT.