Argentine Judges Uphold Conviction Against Former President Fernandez-Kirchner

Former President Cristina Fernandez-Kirchner. X/ @JuanitoSay

November 13, 2024 Hour: 12:23 pm

Previously, Cristina denounced the lack of impartiality of the judges, highlighting their ties to right-wing politician Macri.

On Wednesday, Federal Chamber of Criminal Appeals confirmed the sentence of six years in prison and “permanent disqualification from holding public office” against former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez-Kirchner (2007-2015) in a case involving irregularities in public works contracts.

In Dec. 2022, Federal Oral Court No. 2 sentenced Fernandez-Kirchner for fraudulent administration of public funds in the “Vialidad” case, which investigated irregularities in the awarding of 51 public works contracts to companies owned by businessman Lazaro Baez during the administration of her late husband, former President Nestor Kirchner (2003-2007), and herself, in the province of Santa Cruz.

Judges Mariano Borinsky, Gustavo Hornos, and Diego Barroetaveña ruled to sentence Fernandez-Kirchner to six years in prison and permanent disqualification from holding public office “for finding her criminally responsible for the offense of fraudulent administration to the detriment of the public administration.”

This decision could impede a potential candidacy of the former president in the 2025 legislative elections, although it is expected that Fernandez-Kirchner will file an appeal with the Supreme Court, a process that could take several months or even years.

Mi mayor solidaridad y apoyo a la compañera @CFKArgentina, víctima una vez más de persecusión política y judicial en una causa sin pruebas.

Este ataque no es contra Cristina, sino contra lo que ella representa: soberanía y justicia social. No cabe dudas de que lo que quieren es… pic.twitter.com/0J9g2JyOkB
— Carlos Linares (@LinaresCarlosCR) November 13, 2024

Senator Carlos Linares’ text reads, “My deepest solidarity and support for our colleague Cristina Fernandez-Kirchner, once again a victim of political and judicial persecution in a case without evidence. This attack is not against Cristina but against what she represents: sovereignty and social justice. There is no doubt that what they want is to put an end to popular governments that care for the people. Today more than ever we embrace you, Cristina. No matter how hard it tries, the judicial mafia will not be able to outlaw the love of the people.”

On Tuesday, Cristina Fernandez-Kirchner, who was not present in court, published an extensive statement in which she anticipated a ruling against her and denounced an attempt to proscribe her.

The Argentine former president, who has frequently claimed to be a target of judicial and political persecution (lawfare), argued that the Vialidad case is a show intended to achieve her permanent disqualification from holding public office. She also denounced the lack of impartiality of the judges who upheld her sentence and highlighted their ties to former President Mauricio Macri (2015-2019).

In addition to upholding the sentence for fraudulent administration of public funds, the Chamber today rejected the prosecution’s request to also convict her of the crime of illicit association and confirmed the sentences of other defendants. Among them are businessman Lazaro Baez, former Public Works Secretary Jose Lopez, and former Director of the National Highway Administration Nelson Periotti.

The judges confirmed the acquittals of former Federal Planning Minister Julio De Vido, former Deputy Secretary of Public Works Abel Fatala, former Santa Cruz Highway Department official Hector Garro, and Carlos Kirchner, former official of the Federal Planning Ministry.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Argentina: The Government has renamed the Nestor Kirchner gas pipeline, in its attempt to erase the country's political and ideological cultural symbols. pic.twitter.com/ypmSYAifoy
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) November 12, 2024