A court in Buenos Aires granted house arrest to former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner on Tuesday, despite the prosecutors’ position, who had requested that the six-year prison sentence for the ‘Vialidad case’ be served in jail.
Thus, the court has decided to “order the detention” of Fernández de Kirchner “under house arrest, in order to serve the sentence imposed in this case,” according to the ruling of the tribunal, presided over by Judge Jorge Gorini.
The Federal Criminal Court 2 has ruled that the former president must remain at the established residence and “refrain from adopting behaviors that may disturb the tranquility of the neighborhood and/or alter peaceful coexistence.”
The judge has notified his decision electronically in order to avoid leading the march organized by the Kirchnerism to the town of Comodoro Py, where he was supposed to appear this Wednesday.
Hours before, prosecutors Diego Luciani and Sergio Mola - who requested that the former first lady be sentenced to twelve years instead of six - spoke out against house arrest, arguing that this measure is exceptional and that she does not suffer from any health problems to grant her this benefit.
Fernández’s defense to request house arrest was based on the age of the former president (72 years old) and on the argument that it is the State’s “obligation” to “ensure the safety of those who have previously held the position of Head of the Executive Power.” They also pointed out that she had survived an assassination attempt.
Fernández has been convicted of awarding multimillion-dollar road works to a business partner and alleged frontman during her two terms in office. The former president, who denies the charges, has claimed to be a victim of political and judicial persecution.