Dec 6, 2022 - World

Argentina's vice president convicted in $1 billion fraud trial

Jacob Knutson

Argentina's Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner speaking in La Plata in November 2022. — 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.

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Argentina's vice president convicted in $1 billion fraud trial

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