Argentina judge approves house arrest for ex-President Kirchner
Argentina's former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner stands on a balcony, on the day the Federal Court of Criminal Appeals confirmed a prison sentence on charges of alleged corruption in the awarding of public works during her presidency, in Buenos Aires, Argentina November 13, 2024. REUTERS/Matias Baglietto/File Photo
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -An Argentine judge on Tuesday approved a request from former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to serve out her six-year prison sentence for corruption at home.
Kirchner, 72, a polarizing leftist figure who was president from 2007 to 2015, was convicted by a trial court in 2022 over a fraud scheme involving public road projects in Patagonia that allegedly benefited a close ally.
Argentina's Supreme Court last week upheld the conviction and sentence, which also includes a lifetime ban from holding public office. Kirchner has denied wrongdoing, claiming political persecution.
The judge ruled she should serve the sentence, effective immediately, at her Buenos Aires residence due to her age.
(Reporting by Nicolas Misculin; Editing by Kylie Madry)
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