Argentina’s former President Cristina Kirchner has been indicted on corruption charges.
The charges stem from money allegedly seized from public works by a corruption ring that operated for 12 years, engulfing her administration and that of Néstor Kirchner, her late husband and predecessor.
Argentina Judge Julian Ercolini supported charges of illicit association and fraudulent administration against the ex-leader, for allegedly steering dozens of government contracts to a personal business acquaintance.
The judge outlined the charges in a 794-page resolution Tuesday, which says Kirchner conspired “to commit crimes, in order to illegally and deliberately seize funds assigned to public road works.”
Kirchner first female elected president of Argentina, who endured multiple corruption scandals while she was in office between 2007 and 2015, has denied any wrongdoing and said the prosecution is politically-motivated. Defence attorneys said they will appeal.
In addition to upholding the criminal charges, Ercolini also ordered $633 million of Kirchner’s assets to be frozen pending the outcome of the prosecution.
Charges in the case were also approved Tuesday against two former Kirchner aides, as well as Argentine construction magnate Lazaro Báez — whose company, Austral Construcciones, was allegedly the illegal recipient of about 50 government contracts.
Báez, whose name was mentioned in multiple scandals tied to Kirchner, opened his construction business just days before she took office in 2007.
Once open, prosecutors argue, the company was awarded many public works projects and consistently over-billed the government for them. The prosecutors’ case covers a 12-year period that started when Kirchner was first lady of Argentina in 2003.
Kirchner left office in December 2015 following eight years of various accusations of corruption. Her late husband and predecessor, Néstor, was also targeted by scandals during his time in office.
Meanwhile, a mob on Wednesday threw rocks at Argentine President Mauricio Macri’s vehicle, breaking windows, but causing no injuries.
“A group of about 10 people threw rocks at the vehicle taking President Mauricio Macri to the inauguration of a … Tourism Information Center in Villa Traful, breaking two windows,” the president’s office said in a statement.
Villa Traful is a small lakeside resort in the south-central province of Nequen.
Officials searched a local residence, detained seven people, and impounded two cars and a motorbike, state news agency Telam said.
