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An Argentine court on Wednesday upheld a six-year prison sentence and disqualification from holding office for Cristina Kirchner in a case of fraudulent administration. The former president will not serve her sentence until the Supreme Court issues its ruling.
The Federal Court of Criminal Appeals decided to “sentence Cristina Elizabeth Fernández de Kirchner to six years in prison, perpetual special disqualification from holding public office, legal accessories and costs of the trial, considering her criminally responsible for the crime of fraudulent administration to the detriment of the public administration,” in a ruling whose reading was broadcast live.
Kirchner , 71, had been sentenced in the first instance in 2022 to six years in prison and lifelong political disqualification for “fraudulent administration” in the awarding of road works during her presidency (2007-2015), a ruling that has now been ratified by a higher court.
If, as is presumed, one of the parties appeals the ruling, it will be the Supreme Court of Justice that will give a definitive resolution to the case and, at least until then, Kirchner will not go to prison and will be able to hold public office.
In addition to serving as president for two terms, from 2007 to 2015, Kirchner was vice president between 2019 and 2023.
The outcome of the ruling was as expected by the center-left former president, who on Tuesday published a letter titled “Los Copitos de Comodoro Py,” in reference to the sugar flake sellers accused of trying to assassinate her in September 2022 and the court that ruled against them.
