Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, the current vice president and former president of Argentina could face up to 12 years in prison if found guilty in a public works corruption case. Prosecutor Diego Luciani charged CFK on Monday, August 22, 2022, with defrauding the state and participating in a scheme involving the diversion of public funds during her two years as president from 2007 to 2015. Luciani called the case “the largest corruption case in the history of the country” and asked the court to issue a “special disqualification for the rest of her life.”
Since her testimony in court in 2019, CFK has continued to deny the allegations. Immediately after the final session, the vice president announced on Twitter that she was facing a “media and legal firing squad” and not the constitutional court. She added that the prosecution had violated the “concept of public defense in court” by accusing her of crimes for which she had never been charged before.
If all is wrong to assert that there is no basis before a Constitutional court, sino ante un pelotón de fusilamiento media-judicial, es impedirme el ejercicio del derecho de ante ante question…
– Cristina Kirchner (@CFKArgentina) August 22, 2022
Que nunca figuraron en el acto de accusación del Financial al que asistí durante 5 kiaas en Mayo de 2019.
– Cristina Kirchner (@CFKArgentina) August 22, 2022
Investigate the allegations against Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner
Argentina’s Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner is on trial along with 12 others on charges of ‘defrauding the state’ and ‘extravagant spending during her 2007-2015 presidency.’ The trial began in 2019 as part of an investigation into whether CFK and its employees supported the companies of businessman Lazaro Baez in dozens of public projects in the southern Patagonian region. Most of those projects, much of which belonged to Baez, later turned out to be unfinished or had expensive bids. Baez, who was loyal to the Kirchner family, was eventually found guilty of corruption.
During Monday’s hearing, prosecutor Diego Luciani said the state had become the ultimate victim of the officials’ alleged crimes. Luciani regrets:
“At least 12 people were involved in the scam.” Only the concerted action of all the authorities, with the cooperation of Lazaro Baez, will bring about the success of the exercise. These wrongdoings have harmed the country.”
The prosecutor then accused CFK of “prioritizing personal interests over public interests” and of “deceiving society” by using his political position. He declared:
“Cristina Fernandez [de Kircher] she takes the highest position and uses her abilities and powers to maximize the benefits of this act.
The scheme has been called “systematic acts of corruption” by Luciani, who says it is “funded and supported by the country’s top political leaders.” He added that the program had “washed away all public procurement standards” and “caused significant damage to state finances”. Prosecutors also accused Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner of being the “leader” of an “illegal organization” and running the process to ensure that Baez won the public works tender.
Prosecutor Sergio Mola went on to say that CFK could not have been informed of the fraudulent activities that took place during his tenure. Mol continued:
“There was an ongoing anomaly in 51 tenders over a 12-year period.” Photographic evidence inevitably reveals illegal manipulations. It’s hard to believe Cristina Fernandez [de Kirchner] she’s not aware of anything in her office.”
After the hearing, CFK took to Twitter to state that the prosecution had violated the “principle of defense” by raising concerns that had never been raised before. Her tweet stated:
“[The prosecution] included in their indictment questions that were never asked, blatantly violating the concept of defense at trial.”
CFK’s attorney, Gregorio Dalbon, denied the vice president’s allegations and said the defense was seeking “a valid right to a defense at trial.” He declared:
“Prosecutors Luciani and Mola went beyond the law and created a media story to make society think that Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was the leader of an illegal public works management group.”
The former president also said that she has never had a chance to testify about new aspects of the case and that she will continue to defend herself on social media. Given that there are 13 suspects in the dock and that the prosecution has completed its evidence, the defense will have 10 business days to present evidence. A ruling in the case is expected to be made later this year, although Kirchner is expected to appeal if a final judgment is made against her. For the vice president’s sentence to be enforced, it must be confirmed by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, even if convicted, CFK could still run for president in 2023.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: vcmp.edu.vn