Argentina's Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner speaking in La Plata in November 2022. Photo: Matías Baglietto/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Argentina's Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner on Tuesday was found guilty of fraud and was sentenced to six years in prison and received a lifetime ban from holding public office, AP reports.
Why it matters: The conviction stems from a corruption trial in which Kirchner was accused of embezzling $1 billion through public works projects during her tenure as president.
- A three-judge panel found that Kirchner committed fraud but rejected prosecutors’ request that she also be charged with leading a criminal organization.
- Kirchner, who has denied wrongdoing and has said she will appeal the conviction, will not face a prison sentence or the public office ban until the appeals are exhausted.
What they're saying: Speaking after the sentence was handed down, Kirchner called the court a "firing squad" and described herself as the victim of a "judicial mafia."
- Her supporters have said they plan to stage a nationwide strike in response to the conviction, per AP.
The big picture: Kirchner was president of Argentina for two terms between 2007 and 2015 before becoming vice president in 2019.
Go deeper: Man detained after gun pointed at Argentina's vice president