Elected vice president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner arrives to court in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. Fernandez is appearing before...
Elected vice president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner arrives to court in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. Fernandez is appearing before a federal judge investigating her for alleged corruption just days before she is to be sworn in as vice president. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Elected vice president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner arrives to court in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. Fernandez is appearing before...
Elected vice president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner arrives to court in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. Fernandez is appearing before a federal judge investigating her for alleged corruption just days before she is to be sworn in as vice president. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Supporters of elected vice president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner stand outside the court in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. Fernande...
Supporters of elected vice president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner stand outside the court in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. Fernandez is appearing before a federal judge investigating her for alleged corruption just days before she is to be sworn in as vice president. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Former Argentine President Cristina Fernández has made an unusual detour on her way back to power as vice president in eight days. She’s appeared in court to defend herself against corruption charges stemming from her time in office.
The former leader bitterly denounced the charges as political-persecution and blamed the outgoing administration of President Mauricio Macri.
She told the judges that history would absolve her, and told them that “history will condemn you.”
Fernández is charged with heading a criminal association that defrauded the government by illegally granting public works projects in the southern province on Santa Cruz during her 2007-2015 presidency.
During Monday’s hearing, she denied wrongdoing and noted that congress had approved that spending.