Argentina's Supreme Court Upholds Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's Conviction, Potential Arrest Looms
The Supreme Court of Argentina has upheld the six-year prison sentence and lifelong disqualification from public office of former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, confirmed by a unanimous ruling from the court's three judges. This decision follows a significant legal battle regarding irregularities linked to the allocation of roadwork contracts during her presidency from 2007 to 2015.
Fernández's sentence, pronounced in 2022, pertains to alleged corruption involving the fraudulent administration of public works contracts in the province of Santa Cruz, a case often referred to as "Vialidad." The court's decision to reject her appeal suggests that she could be arrested imminently to serve her sentence.
In a statement following the ruling, judges Horacio Rosatti, Carlos Rosenkrantz, and Ricardo Lorenzetti highlighted that the extensive evidence presented in the earlier phases of the case had been properly evaluated, confirming that due process was preserved and constitutional guarantees were upheld throughout the legal proceedings. This further solidifies the legality of the sentence against her.
The ruling mandates that the decision be sent to the Federal Oral Court 2, under Judge Jorge Gorini, to enforce the sentence issued in 2022. Notably, Fernández's legal team may seek to secure house arrest for her, considering her age—she turned 72 in February.
This pivotal decision coincides with her recent announcement, just a week prior, of her candidacy in the upcoming legislative elections in Buenos Aires. The Supreme Court's ruling now renders her ineligible for these elections, as well as any future ones, due to the ongoing legal repercussions.
The Vialidad case centered around accusations that the awarding of 51 infrastructure contracts was improperly influenced by connections to businessman Lázaro Báez during both Fernández's and her late husband Néstor Kirchner's administrations. Although she was convicted in 2022, her arrest was suspended due to her then-vice-presidential immunity and an ongoing appeals process with the Criminal Cassation Chamber.
After the court's decision on November 2024, Fernández continued her legal fight by appealing to the Supreme Court, which ultimately led to the present ruling. The former president has characterized her legal challenges as 'lawfare,' claiming they are rooted in judicial and political persecution.
In a recent address to her political party, Fernández accused the Supreme Court of acting as a "praetorian guard of economic power," suggesting that certain political figures engage in behavior contrary to national interests while evading justice. She framed her suffering as a 'certificate of dignity' amidst these injustices.
As tensions rise following this landmark ruling, the implications for Fernández—both personally and politically—could reshape Argentina's political landscape heading into the legislative elections set for September.
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