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Argentina’s Most Powerful Politician Found Guilty of Fraud [1]
['Natalie Alcoba', 'Ana Lankes']
Date: 2022-12-06
BUENOS AIRES — Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, a political titan in Argentina, was found guilty on Tuesday and sentenced to six years in prison and banned from holding public office for a fraud scheme that directed public roadworks contracts to a family friend while she was the first lady and president.
The verdict was a major blow to Mrs. Kirchner, the current vice president and a deeply polarizing figure who has helped split Argentina between those who favor her and her leftist movement, called Kirchnerismo, and those who say she has helped ruin a country that has struggled with high inflation, poverty and failed economic policies.
The six-year sentence was less than the 12 years that had been sought by prosecutors. However, neither the sentence nor the ban is firm until all of her appeals are used up. Most likely, the case will eventually be heard by Argentina’s Supreme Court.
Until then, Mrs. Kirchner can continue to hold office.
After the verdict, a furious Mrs. Kirchner announced she would step out of politics after her current term as vice president concluded at the end of next year.
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[1] Url:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/06/world/americas/argentina-corruption-trial-verdict-kirchner.html
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