ZCZC
BFF-09
ARGENTINA-KIRCHNER-CORRUPTION
Argentina ex-president Kirchner to be tried for fourth time
BUENOS AIRES, Sept 21, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Argentina’s former president
Cristina Kirchner is to stand trial for a fourth time on corruption charges,
even as the leftist opposition leader vies for the position of vice president
in elections next month.
The 66-year-old, who served two terms as president, is accused of having
taken $160 million in bribes for steering public works contracts towards
favored businessmen close to her and her late husband Nestor, who served as
president before her.
No date for the latest re-trial has been announced.
The judge overseeing the protracted case, Claudio Bonadio, has requested
Kirchner be remanded into custody on several occasions, but as a senator she
enjoys parliamentary immunity. Kirchner, who is currently under 13 different
investigations, served as president from 2007 until 2015 and is the running
mate for her former chief of staff Alberto Fernandez.
The two are favored to win the October 27 elections, polling ahead of
center-right President Mauricio Macri who is running for a second term but
faces weakened prospects due to the country’s crippling economic crisis.
BSS/AFP/SSS/0946 hrs