Former Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, already serving a six-year sentence for fraud under house arrest, appeared in court on Thursday to face a fresh corruption trial.Prosecutors accuse Kirchner of accepting millions of dollars in bribes during her time in office between 2007 and 2015, allegedly in exchange for awarding lucrative public contracts to favored business allies.
The new case is part of a broader investigation into high-level corruption that has long shadowed her political career.Kirchner, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, claims the charges are politically motivated and aimed at destroying her reputation. Her defense team argues that the case lacks concrete evidence and is driven by her opponents to prevent her return to politics.If convicted, the 71-year-old could face additional prison time and further restrictions on her political rights.
The trial is expected to last several months, with testimony from former government officials, business executives, and investigators.Kirchner remains a deeply polarizing figure in Argentina — hailed by supporters as a defender of the poor and condemned by critics as a symbol of entrenched corruption.