After the murder of the 69-year-old vice president of Argentina, Cristina Kirchner, an assailant has been arrested, local media reports.
Kirchner, who is also the country’s former president, was leaving his home in Buenos Aires when the vice president was approached by a gunman.
Footage of the incident shows the man approaching Ms Kirchner and then pointing a gun at her. However, he was dragged to the ground before the bullet was fired. When I tried to shoot, no bullet came out.
A 35-year-old Brazilian man was arrested while carrying a gun, Argentine Defense Minister Anibal Fernandez said. Local newspaper El Clarin reported that the man had previously been charged with carrying the knife, which he said was for “personal protection”.
Ms. Kirchner is currently facing corruption charges for defrauding the state in a scheme in which she was accused of embezzling public funds between 2007 and 2015. He was the president of Argentina at the time.
Federal prosecutors allege the left-wing politician awarded a state construction contract to family friend and businessman Lazaro Baez. If convicted, Kirchner could face up to 12 years in prison and be removed from office.
In 2020, Baez was convicted of a $60 million ($88.27 million) money laundering conspiracy and sentenced to 12 years in prison. Kirchner’s case focuses on 51 contracts awarded to Bayes over a 12-year period. Prosecutors claim that the book was delivered to him for a high price or for other personal purposes. They also stated that only 27 of the 51 contracts had been fulfilled.
However, Ms Kirchner has consistently denied the allegations.
He claims that state construction contracts must be approved by Congress, which would expose him to corruption charges.
“I’ve said it before. They didn’t come to me. “They are here for all of you,” he told his supporters in a 90-minute speech. “When it comes to wages, benefits, pensioners, our debt – that’s what they want.”
Since the allegations were made, his supporters have gathered outside his home to protest. His supporters clashed with police on Saturday, with authorities using water cannons to disperse the crowd.
