Clashes in Argentina as thousands rally for Fernandez de Kirchner | Political News

Thousands join the defense of Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner as prosecutors seek a 12-year prison sentence in a corruption case.

Argentine police clashed with supporters of Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in the capital Buenos Aires.

Saturday’s clashes came as thousands took to the streets to defend her two days after prosecutors opened an investigation. 12 years in prison So is her ban on public office due to allegations of corruption during her administration.

Prosecutors say that between 2007 and 2015, when Fernandez de Kirchner was president, he led an illegal scheme to siphon state funds by awarding public works contracts to family friends.

Fernandez de Kirchner denies the charges and claims she is a victim of judicial and political persecution.

Saturday’s biggest demonstration took place outside the Vice President’s house in Recoleta’s elegant Buenos Aires neighborhood, where police erected a fence to prevent large gatherings in the early hours of the morning.

In the afternoon, demonstrators who claimed the fence was built as a provocation by the opposition mayor of Buenos Aires tore it down and clashed with police.

A hydrant truck attempted to disperse the crowd with water.

According to local media, seven police officers were injured and two protesters were arrested. Fernandez de Kircher later urged his supporters to stop the protests.

“In a democracy, the right to free expression is fundamental,” she told supporters from a makeshift stage in front of her house.

“I just want to say thank you and I hope you get some rest. It’s been a long day.”

Earlier in the day, she described the demo as peaceful and fun.

“Today I woke up to literally a corner of my house being under siege,” she tweeted. “They want to ban completely peaceful and joyful demonstrations of love and support in the face of already undeniable persecution by the judiciary.”

As a sign of support, President Alberto Fernandez shared a message on his Twitter account.

He has previously denounced the lawsuit against his representative as judicial persecution.

“Beyond the lack of evidence prosecutors have established, the problem is that he started with the premise that she, as president, cannot know what is going on,” the president said. Every crime that is accused is a crime that requires the intent to do it.”

Fernandez de Kirchner heads the hardest faction of the center-left Peronist coalition that has ruled Argentina since late 2019.

Sentences and potential sentences are decided by judges and could take months, but Fernandez de Kirchner can appeal, which could delay a final verdict for years.