The Public Ministry is preparing to seek a prison sentence for Cristina Kirchner, the vice president of Argentina, this Monday (22), for alleged corruption while she was president (2007-2015); This penalty, if approved, could deprive him of his political rights.
Kirchner, who has political immunity from his duties as vice-president and President of the Senate, is on trial in the case where he is accused of guiding the award of public works contracts along with twelve others since 2019. Santa Cruz. (south), political birthplace, favoring businessman Lázaro Báez.
Lawyer Sergio Mola opened the ninth and final prosecution hearing, examining the details of the case, in which more than a hundred witnesses testified.
Mola assessed that the accused had “made a plan” to defraud the State, using “discretionary power in the use of funds”.
The lawsuit, which began in May 2019, is investigating whether there was targeting and overpricing on public works concessions in the Kirchners’ political birthplace of Santa Cruz.
During hearings watched remotely by those concerned, the Public Department named Kirchner the leader of an illegal association and charged him with fraud against the State, crimes punishable by up to 16 years in prison.
“There were systematic irregularities in 51 tenders over twelve years,” the prosecutor said in his closing speech. .
The case also covers the period of the previous government from 2003 until 2007, when her husband, Néstor Kirchner, who died in 2010, became president.
– The right to speak –
The 69-year-old lawyer, Kirchner, requested that his investigative testimony be extended until Tuesday, arguing that he “clearly violated the principle of defense in court and raised questions that were never raised in his indictment (prosecutors). on twitter.
One of his lawyers, Gregorio Dalbón, said the former president’s request was aimed at securing “the right to self-defense in court”, even though the investigation phase has already ended.
“Prosecutors (Diego) Luciani and Mola are abandoning the rule of law and creating a media report so that the public has common sense and believes that Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is the head of an illegal association that manages public works,” the lawyer said.
Kirchner had previously sought the disqualification of judges Rodrigo Giménez Uriburu and Jorge Gorini and prosecutor Luciani, but the request was denied.
The crimes Kirchner has been charged with – leading an illegal association and defrauding the state – include prison terms of up to 16 years and the forfeiture of his political rights.
However, the execution of the sentence must be approved by the Supreme Court. Therefore, even if convicted, Kirchner will remain free and may run in the presidential and legislative elections of 2023.
After the MP’s indictment is closed, the defense has 10 working days to begin presenting its defense to the 13 defendants, which can take several months.
The decision must be announced before the end of the year.
– “Follow” –
On Sunday, a public letter signed by more than 500 mayors expressed support for Kirchner, whom they view as a “victim of judicial persecution.”
Deputies from the ruling Frente de Todos also issued a statement of support for Senate chairman Kirchner and a media demand this Monday with the signature of key political and cultural figures.
The 69-year-old vice president has managed to overcome several lawsuits dismissed for alleged crimes during his two presidency terms (2007-2015), but he still faces five lawsuits.
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© Agence France-Press
source: Noticias
