Prosecutor asks Supreme Court to double CFK prison term

Argentina’s Attorney-General Eduardo Casal on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to increase a prison sentence for former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner from six to twelve years, in connection with the high-profile ‘Vialidad’ case concerning alleged corruption in public works contracting.

Fernández de Kirchner was convicted in 2022 on corruption charges and that decision was confirmed in the second instance by a higher court last year. She has appealed the verdict to the Supreme Court and is awaiting its ruling.

The 72-year-old opposition leader, who led Argentina from 2007 to 2015 as head of state and denies the allegations against her, was also slapped with a lifetime ban from holding public office for the crime of "fraudulent administration" in the awarding of roadworks contracts during her time as president.

The Federal Oral Tribunal No. 2 issued the original verdict, which was later upheld by the Federal Chamber of Cassation. Fernández de Kirchner appealed the conviction before the Supreme Court on March 31. 

Prior to reviewing the case, the nation’s highest tribunal requested the opinion of Casal, who is both the nation's chief public prosecutor and the prosecutor before the Supreme Court.

In a 13-page submission seen by the AFP news agency, Casal supported the complaint lodged by prosecutor Mario Villar before the court and called for the former president’s sentence to be doubled from six to 12 years. 

Casal also urged the Court to overturn Fernández de Kirchner’s earlier acquittal on the charge of “unlawful association” and to convict her of this offence as well.

The ‘Vialidad’ case centres on the alleged favouring of allied Kirchnerite businessman Lázaro Báez in the awarding of public works projects. 

Báez’s companies were awarded around 80 percent of national public works contracts in Santa Cruz Province during administrations led by late former president Néstor Kirchner and  Fernández de Kirchner, his wife and widow.

The Supreme Court judges are now in a position to evaluate the case, although there is no set deadline for delivering a ruling.

If the court rejects the appeal by the former vice president (2019–2023), the conviction will become final. In that case, Fernández de Kirchner will be eligible to request house arrest and avoid jail due to her age.

Although unlikely given the court’s typical pace, the possibility of a ruling in the coming months has generated particular anticipation. 

Argentina is due to hold midterm elections in October to renew part of Congress.

– TIMES/AFP/NA