Argentina’s Vice President, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, was found guilty in federal court on Tuesday of having committed fraud in a scheme that embezzled about $1 billion through 51 public works projects when she served as president.
A three-judge panel convicted Fernández de Kirchner, marking the first time a vice president of Argentina has been convicted of a crime while holding office.
Fernández de Kirchner, who served as president of Argentina for two terms between 2007 and 2015, was sentenced to six years in prison, and received a lifetime ban from holding public office.
In Argentina, judges in such cases customarily pronounce verdicts and sentences first and explain how they reached their decision later. The panel’s full decision is expected in February 2023. The verdict can be appealed up to the nation’s Supreme Court thereafter. The process could take years to complete….