Former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was sentenced to six years in prison and perpetual disqualification from holding public office for the "Vialidad" case. The sentence was confirmed by the Federal Court of Cassation, which also ratified the seizure of nearly 84 billion pesos. The former president was convicted for "fraudulent administration to the detriment of public administration."
In this case, bidding processes for road works in Santa Cruz between 2003 and 2015 were judged, where a fraudulent maneuver was evidenced to benefit companies linked to Lázaro Báez, causing economic harm to the State. The former president was convicted as the author of this crime, although she was acquitted of the charge of illicit association.
The ruling also includes other convictions, such as those of Lázaro Báez, José López, Nelson Periotti, among others. In total, six years of prison were confirmed for Báez and López, and lesser sentences for other involved parties. The former president can appeal to the Supreme Court of Justice, the last instance before the execution of the sentence.
Despite the confirmed sentence, Cristina Kirchner will not go to prison immediately, as the sentence will only be executed once all judicial instances are exhausted. Her defense announced the appeal of the ruling to the Supreme Court. The former president has expressed her rejection towards the majority of the Court, but it is expected she will respect the final sentence and comply with the tribunal's decision.
Cristina Kirchner's conviction in the context of the "Vialidad" case leaves her disqualified from holding public office and may impact her future political plans. The former president's defense has a deadline of twenty days to appeal to the Supreme Court and await its resolution, which will determine whether the sentence is confirmed or revoked.
