The Prosecutor’s Office asks for 12 years in prison for Vice President Fernández for alleged corruption

First modification: 08/23/2022 – 00:15

During the trial that has been in force since May 2019 against the current Argentine vice president, Cristina Fernández, as well as other Kirchnerist deputies, this Monday, during his final argument, the prosecutor Diego Luciani asked the court to sentence her to 12 years in prison and disables her in perpetuity to perform functions in the Public Administration.

Cristina Fernández is being tried for alleged crimes of illicit association and irregular administration of public funds. Specifically, alleged corruption is being investigated in the concession of 51 public works to a businessman related to the former president in the region of Santa Cruz, her political cradle, during the governments of Néstor Kirchner (2003-2007) and Fernández herself (2007- 2015).

“There were systematic irregularities in 51 tenders over twelve years. The evidence table conclusively demonstrates the illicit maneuvers. It is not credible that Cristina Fernández de Kirchner did not find out anything in the solitude of her office,” said the prosecutor in his closing argument.

right of word

Fenández de Kirchner, a 69-year-old lawyer, has political immunity for her positions as vice president and president of the Senate. She requested an extension of her preliminary statement for Tuesday, arguing that “in open violation of the principle of defense at trial, (the prosecutors) mounted issues in her accusation that had never been raised,” she wrote on Twitter.

Gregorio Dalbón, one of her lawyers, said that the former president’s request seeks to ensure her “right to legitimate defense in court,” despite the fact that the investigative stage has already ended.

“The prosecutors (Diego) Luciani and Mola are leaving the rule of law and building a media story so that society has common sense and believes that Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was the head of an illicit association to direct public works,” he declared. lawyer.

Previously, Kirchner had requested the disqualification of judges Rodrigo Giménez Uriburu and Jorge Gorini, as well as prosecutor Luciani, but that request was dismissed.

But for the sentence to be carried out, it must be ratified by the Supreme Court of Justice. Therefore, even if she is convicted, Kirchner would remain free and she could be a candidate in the presidential and legislative elections of 2023.

Now, the defense has 10 business days to start exposing their defense for the 13 defendants, which could take several months. The verdict is expected to be known by the end of the year.

The Government speaks of “judicial persecution”

“The national government condemns the judicial and media persecution against Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, which was expressed today, once again, in the final argument and request for punishment in the so-called ‘road case,'” the office of the Presidency said on Monday. in a statement after knowing the accusation of the public prosecutor Luciani.

In the words of the Executive led by Alberto Fernández, the “judicial persecution endorsed and promoted by different media, the abusive characterization of the figure of the illicit association and the imposition of preventive detention as an early penalty” are “aspects that contradict the dogmatic of criminal law” in the rule of law.

In addition, on a personal basis, the president wanted to express on his Twitter his “deepest affection and solidarity” for the vice president and added that this Monday was an “ungrateful” day.

In the midst of political polarization and before the electoral process next year, various center-left Peronist groups, close to the vice president, also denounced persecution.

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

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

“We cannot allow Cristina to be convicted or to go to jail. We have to make a town, it is the only thing that is going to save her. We have to defend her with everything,” he asserted last week.

With AFP and EFE