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Argentina Judge Puts Ex-President Fernández Under House Arrest

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Updated Jul 1, 2025, 08:09 PM

Argentina’s Supreme Court on 15 June confirmed the six-year prison sentence and lifetime ban from public office imposed on former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner for fraudulent administration in the award of road-building contracts, closing a final appeal in the long-running “Vialidad” corruption case.

Citing her age of 72 and security concerns, Judge Jorge Gorini of Federal Oral Criminal Court No. 2 ruled on 17 June that Fernández may serve the sentence under house arrest at her apartment in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Constitución. The order requires her to wear an electronic ankle monitor, submit a list of approved visitors within 48 working hours and obtain prior authorization for any other contact or excursions.

Federal prosecutors Diego Luciani and Sergio Mola, who led the original case, opposed the decision and said they will ask a higher court to revoke the benefit or relocate her to a facility that meets stricter security standards. President Javier Milei has publicly rejected the idea of a pardon, stressing judicial independence.

Amid crowds of supporters outside the building, the tribunal on 19 June clarified that Fernández may step onto her balcony as long as she acts with “prudence and common sense” to avoid disturbing neighbors — a condition that, if breached, could trigger the loss of house-arrest privileges.

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