Kirchner accuses court of ‘shotgun’

Argentine Vice President Cristina Kirchner this Tuesday (29) made her final words in a lawsuit filed on suspicion of corruption in public works contracts, accusing the court of being a “true firing squad”.

After the ongoing process since May 2019, the court is expected to make its decision in the coming days.

Kirchner, who has been accused of corruption during his two presidency, said: “This court, which is more than a ‘law’ court, was a real firing squad, starting with the incredible criticism of the prosecutors Diego Luciani and Sergio Mola, who were dedicated to harassing and humiliating me.” Periods from 2007 to 2015.

Cristina Kirchner virtually attended the hearing directly from her Senate office in a 20-minute intervention posted by the entire press and also on her Twitter account.

“These have been proven to be false, or even nonexistent,” accusing prosecutors of “faking and distorting” the facts, the vice president said.

Evaluating that the decision had a “disciplinary purpose” especially against his “political sphere”, namely centre-left Peronism, he insisted that “They defamed, lied and humiliated me and our government”.

While there are 11 other defendants, Kirchner is accused of favoring businessman Lázaro Báez, who is considered close to his family, in public works contracts in the state of Santa Cruz (south).

In this first-instance trial, a hearing remained on December 6 for four more defendants to have their last words. From this moment, and within ten days at the latest, the judges have to make their decision.

Prosecutors sought a 12-year prison sentence and a lifelong political ban for Kirchner, 69.

The main political figure in Argentina, Cristina Kirchner, enjoys privileged status as vice president and president of the Senate until a final sentence is handed down by the Supreme Court.