Former Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, a member of the opposition Justicialist Party, called on Tuesday the trial she was standing a deliberate attempt "sideline" her efforts to run for the vice-presidency
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 21st May, 2019) Former Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, a member of the opposition Justicialist Party, called on Tuesday the trial she was standing a deliberate attempt "sideline" her efforts to run for the vice-presidency.In September 2018, Kirchner was accused of accepting bribes from construction companies in exchange for public works contracts.
"[This trial is] another act of persecution with only one objective: to sideline a former president who opposes the incumbent government in the midst of the election campaign," the president tweeted.
The hearings began at 12:00 p.m. local time (15:00 GMT) in Buenos Aires. There are 12 other people on trial alongside Kirchner, including businessman Lazaro Baez and former Minister of Planning and Public Investment Julio de Vido.
The judge is expected to hear 160 witnesses. The case is bolstered by 60 200-page books and another 150 boxes of various documents. The hearings are set to take place every Monday but may happen more often.
According to the Clarin newspaper, the trial will last at least until May 2020. Kirchner is required to attend the first hearing, but afterward she may ask for permission to be absent from others until it is her turn to make statements.
On May 18, Kirchner announced that she was going to run for the vice-presidency in October's general elections in tandem with presidential hopeful Alberto Fernandez.
