PUBLIC WORKS GRAFT TRIAL RESUMES, JUST FOUR DAYS AFTER FAILED ATTACK ON VEEP

The trial investigating alleged corruption involving Vice-president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and 12 others resumed this week with the start of defence arguments, the last stage of the trial before a verdict is issued.

Fernández de Kirchner, 69, is accused of heading an illicit association that defrauded the state in the tendering of 51 public works projects in the southern province of Santa Cruz when she served as president (2007-2015).

Two weeks ago, prosecutors last week asked that the former prsident be banned from holding public office and be handed a prison sentence of 12 years.

With Argentina still in shock after the failed shooting attempt on her life last Thursday, from which the Senate chief escaped unharmed last week, the court opened proceedings by hearing from the defence team representing the former head of the Santa Cruz provincial road system, Héctor Garro.

His defence lawyers said that the accusations against Garro contain “logical flaws and leaps in reasoning” and argued that the same case had already been investigated and closed in Fernández de Kirchner’s home province, Santa Cruz.

In a federal system such as Argentina’s, the current trial constitutes “interference in local government, in the provincial constitution, causing irreparable damage to the federal system,” argued attorney Mariano Fragueiro Frias.

The former president’s defence team is expected to argue its case towards the end of September – this stage of the trial is proceeding by alphabetical order – and a verdict is expected before the end of the year. Each defendant has three hearings to present their arguments, although some have announced that they will only use one.

Fernández de Kirchner denies any wrongdoing. She is implicated in four separate proceedings for laundering and speculative damage to the state, amongst other charges. She has accused investigators of waging a “legal war” against her that is orchestrated by the right-wing opposition.

The trial is investigating alleged criminality in the awarding and execution of public works projects in Santa Cruz that were overseen by businessman Lázaro Báez between 2003 and 2015, a period that also covers the government of Fernández de Kirchner’s late husband, former president Néstor Kirchner.

Defence lawyers, as in the case of Garro, can attend this stage of the trial in-person at the court in Buenos Aires, though the majority of proceedings have been held via videoconference software.

The ‘Vialidad’ trial resumed just four days after Fernández de Kirchner was attacked September 1 by a man who fired a gun just inches from her face. Despite the perpetrator pulling the trigger twice, the weapon failed to go off.

The assassination attempt was immediately repudiated by the country’s main political leaders and on the next day a huge demonstration was held in support of the former president and in rejection of political violence.