Argentina: Prosecutors Prepare to Request Jail for Vice President Cristina Kirchner

Argentine prosecutors are preparing on Monday to ask for a prison sentence for that country’s vice president, Cristina Kirchner, for alleged corruption when she was president (2007–2015), an allegation that her followers say constitutes persecution to discredit her politically.

Kirchnerenjoying political immunity due to her position as Vice President and President of the Senate, has been on trial since 2019 along with twelve other people in a case that accuses her of managing the attribution of public works tenders in the province of Santa Cruz ( south), his political cradle, in favor of the businessman Lazarus Baez.

prosecutor Sergio Mola On Monday, the ninth and final hearing on the prosecution opened on the details of the case, in which more than a hundred witnesses testified.

At the meeting, which is being held remotely, Mola considered that the defendants “They made a plan” who tried to deceive the Argentine state with “discretion in the use of funds”.

“There were systematic violations in 51 tenders over twelve years. The table of evidence convincingly demonstrates the illegal maneuvers. It is incredible that Cristina Fernandez (de Kirchner) found nothing in the privacy of her office,” the prosecutor said in his letter. final argument.

The case also covers the period of the previous government from 2003 to 2007, when her husband Nestor Kirchner, who died in 2010, was president.

Possible prison passage to be ratified

KirchnerThe lawyer, 69, asked for an extension of her investigative testimony until Tuesday, arguing that “clearly violating the principle of defense in court, (the prosecutor’s office) established issues in her prosecution that were never raised.” she tweeted.

Gregorio Dalbon, one of her lawyers, said the former president’s request is for her to “the right to legal defense in court”despite the fact that the investigation phase has already ended.

“Prosecutors (Diego) Luciani and Mola are abandoning the rule of law and creating a story in the media so that the public will have common sense and believe that Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was the head of an illegal association to lead public works,” he said. .

Earlier, Kirchner demanded a withdrawal Judges Rodrigo Jiménez Uriburu and Jorge Gorini, as well as prosecutor Luciani, but this request was denied.

Crimes accused of Kirchner – leading an illegal association and defrauding the state – they involve punishment of up to 16 years in prison and disqualification for political reasons.

But in order for the sentence to be carried out, it must be ratified by the Supreme Court. For this reason, even if she is convicted, Kirchner will remain at large and may be a candidate in the 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections.

After the prosecution is closed, the defense has 10 working days to begin presenting their defense to the 13 defendants, which could take several months. The verdict is expected to be announced by the end of the year.

“Political Persecution”

In the midst of political polarization and ahead of next year’s electoral process, various centre-left Peronist groups close to the vice president denounce the persecution.

On Sunday, a public letter signed by more than 500 mayors supported Kirchner, whom they considered a “victim of prosecution.” Deputies from the ruling Frente de Todos party and other political and cultural leaders also issued statements of support.

Hebe de Bonafini, leader of the human rights organization Madres de Plaza de Mayo, called for demonstrations.

“We cannot allow Christina to be convicted or sent to prison. We must build a city, this is the only thing that will save her. We must protect it with all our might,” he said last week.

(According to AFP)