Argentine judge finds sufficient evidence to charge ex-President with committing gender violence
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A federal judge on Monday ruled that sufficient evidence exists to proceed with formal charges against Argentina's former President Alberto Fernández for committing violence against former first lady Fabiola Yáñez.
Fernández stands accused of causing 'minor and serious injuries, aggravated by having been committed in a context of gender violence and against her partner on two occasions,' according to a ruling issued Monday by federal judge Julián Ercolini and seen by The Associated Press.
Ercolini also placed a freeze of 10 million pesos (about $8 million) on part of Fernández's assets.
Fernández, 65, a left-leaning Peronist politician who was president of Argentina from 2019 to 2023, has denied the incidents that Yáñez, 43, reported in August 2024.
Following the woman's complaint, a prosecutor accused Fernández last year, initiating a formal investigation. Judge Ercolini, adhering to Argentine legal deadlines, subsequently ruled that sufficient evidence exists to proceed with formal charges against him.
Fernández can appeal this decision, and the case will only proceed to trial after rulings from higher courts. This appellate process could take years.
After being elected president in 2019, 'the physical violence would have continued and escalated, more precisely after she became pregnant (towards the end of July-beginning of August 2021), in the form of neck grabs, shaking, open-handed slaps and blows that caused injuries to the body of the aforementioned,' Ercolini wrote.
Evidence considered by the judge include WhatsApp conversations that Yáñez had with the private secretary of the then president (containing photos of her injuries), Yáñez's testimony, medical certificates, and corroborating testimony from family and friends.
According to the judge, eight years of 'psychological and physical aggression' would have left Yáñez with 'psychological damage, causing a permanent deterioration of her health.'
If convicted and found guilty, the former president could face a maximum of 18 years in prison.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
17 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
UN refugee agency says more than 122 million people forcibly displaced worldwide
GENEVA (AP) — The U.N. refugee agency says the number of people forcible displaced by violence and persecution around the world has risen to more than 122 million, up by about 2 million from last year and a near-doubling over the last decade. UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi nonetheless pointed to some 'rays of hope' over the last six months, including the return home of nearly 2 million Syrians as their country tries to recover from more than a decade of civil war. The findings come as the refugee agency released its Global Trends Report on Thursday, which said the number of people driven abroad or displaced in their home countries by war, violence and persecution as of April rose to 122.1 million, up from 120 million a year earlier. Among those, the numbers of internally displaced people jumped by more than 9% to 73.5 million at the end of last year. The numbers represent cumulative figures from years of conflict, violence and persecution, and some displaced people returned home last year even as others fled. The report comes at a time when humanitarian groups are facing budget cuts from the United States and other traditional Western donors. UNHCR said nearly two-thirds of people who crossed national borders to flee remained in neighboring countries, countering the 'widespread perception in wealthier regions' that a majority of people were fleeing in a bid to reach places like Europe or the United States. The agency said Sudan, which has been riven by civil war, has become home to the world's largest displacement crisis, with more than 14 million people displaced by the conflict — surpassing Syria, at 13.5 million. More than 10 million in Afghanistan have been forcibly displaced, and some 8.8 million within or from Ukraine, UNHCR said. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
The Hill
24 minutes ago
- The Hill
UN refugee agency says more than 122 million people forcibly displaced worldwide
GENEVA (AP) — The U.N. refugee agency says the number of people forcible displaced by violence and persecution around the world has risen to more than 122 million, up by about 2 million from last year and a near-doubling over the last decade. UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi nonetheless pointed to some 'rays of hope' over the last six months, including the return home of nearly 2 million Syrians as their country tries to recover from more than a decade of civil war. The findings come as the refugee agency released its Global Trends Report on Thursday, which said the number of people driven abroad or displaced in their home countries by war, violence and persecution as of April rose to 122.1 million, up from 120 million a year earlier. Among those, the numbers of internally displaced people jumped by more than 9% to 73.5 million at the end of last year. The numbers represent cumulative figures from years of conflict, violence and persecution, and some displaced people returned home last year even as others fled. The report comes at a time when humanitarian groups are facing budget cuts from the United States and other traditional Western donors. UNHCR said nearly two-thirds of people who crossed national borders to flee remained in neighboring countries, countering the 'widespread perception in wealthier regions' that a majority of people were fleeing in a bid to reach places like Europe or the United States. The agency said Sudan, which has been riven by civil war, has become home to the world's largest displacement crisis, with more than 14 million people displaced by the conflict — surpassing Syria, at 13.5 million. More than 10 million in Afghanistan have been forcibly displaced, and some 8.8 million within or from Ukraine, UNHCR said.
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
UN refugee agency says more than 122 million people forcibly displaced worldwide
GENEVA (AP) — The U.N. refugee agency says the number of people forcible displaced by violence and persecution around the world has risen to more than 122 million, up by about 2 million from last year and a near-doubling over the last decade. UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi nonetheless pointed to some 'rays of hope' over the last six months, including the return home of nearly 2 million Syrians as their country tries to recover from more than a decade of civil war. The findings come as the refugee agency released its Global Trends Report on Thursday, which said the number of people driven abroad or displaced in their home countries by war, violence and persecution as of April rose to 122.1 million, up from 120 million a year earlier. Among those, the numbers of internally displaced people jumped by more than 9% to 73.5 million at the end of last year. The numbers represent cumulative figures from years of conflict, violence and persecution, and some displaced people returned home last year even as others fled. The report comes at a time when humanitarian groups are facing budget cuts from the United States and other traditional Western donors. UNHCR said nearly two-thirds of people who crossed national borders to flee remained in neighboring countries, countering the 'widespread perception in wealthier regions' that a majority of people were fleeing in a bid to reach places like Europe or the United States. The agency said Sudan, which has been riven by civil war, has become home to the world's largest displacement crisis, with more than 14 million people displaced by the conflict — surpassing Syria, at 13.5 million. More than 10 million in Afghanistan have been forcibly displaced, and some 8.8 million within or from Ukraine, UNHCR said.
