Public prosecutors are preparing on Monday (22) to demand the imprisonment of Argentine Vice President Cristina Kirchner for alleged corruption when she was the country’s president (2007-2015), a sentence that, if confirmed, could withdraw her political rights. .
Attorney Sergio Mola opened the ninth and final hearing of the prosecution’s allegations by reviewing the details of the case, in which more than a hundred witnesses testified.
Mola considered that the accused “developed a plan” aimed at defrauding the state by “disposal of the use of funds”.
The trial, which began in May 2019, is looking into whether public works concessions have been targeted and overpriced in Santa Cruz County, the Kirchner family’s hometown.
During the hearings, which were monitored remotely by those involved, prosecutors named Kirchner as the leader of an illegal association and charged her with fraud against the state, crimes that can carry a sentence of up to 16 years in prison.
The Penal Code provides that anyone convicted of these crimes shall be barred from holding public office. For this, the conviction must be upheld by the higher courts.
After the attorney’s indictment is closed, the defense has ten business days to begin presenting its defense to the thirteen defendants, which could take several months. The verdict must be announced before the end of the year.
Prosecutors accuse the vice president of leading an “unlawful association” to defraud the state through crimes that began under the presidency of her husband, Nestor Kirchner (2003-2007), who died in 2010.
The Financial Information Unit (FIU) considered it “irresponsible to proceed with the indictment” by rejecting the prosecution’s arguments about the existence of fraudulent administration offenses and illegal association.
This Sunday (21), a public letter signed by more than 500 mayors expressed their support for Kirchner, whom they consider a “victim of judicial persecution.”
Deputies of the ruling Front de Todos also issued a declaration of support for Kirchner, the president of the Senate, as well as a request published on Monday in newspapers for the signatures of prominent political and cultural figures.
The 69-year-old vice president has weathered several dismissed lawsuits over alleged crimes that occurred during her two presidential terms (2007-2015), but she still faces five trials.
