On Wednesday, the trial of three people accused of the attempted murder of then Vice President Cristina Kirchner began in an Argentine court.
The suspect, Fernando SM, 37, appeared together with his then girlfriend Brenda U., 25, who is accused as a co-conspirator. Her boyfriend, Nicolas C., 29, is also accused as an accomplice.
What was the plan to kill Christina Kirchner?
Fernando SM was caught on video attempting to shoot Kirchner as she mingled and shook hands with supporters gathered outside her home on September 1, 2022.
The suspect pulled the trigger of the loaded gun, but the weapon did not fire.
The indictment mentioned messages between Fernando SM and Brenda U. in which Kirchner’s killing was mentioned.
“I will go to Cristina’s house with the gun and shoot her,” read one of the messages from Fernando SM
After the attack, Nicolas C. sent a message saying that Fernando SM was “just one second away from being a national hero.”
“They were fully aware of their actions and the possible consequences,” the indictment states.
More than 270 witnesses are expected to be called to the trial, including Kirchner himself, said the politician’s lawyer, Marcos Aldazabal.
Sabag Montiel and Uliarte face up to 15 years in prison for attempted premeditated murder.
Who is Cristina Kirchner?
Kirchner became known as the wife of the late President Nestor Kirchner, who was in office from 2003 to 2007.
She then served as president of the country from 2007 to 2015 and vice president from 2019 to 2023.
The former president is a member of the Peronist Justice Party and a critic of the right-wing populist and self-proclaimed “anarcho-capitalist” President Javier Milei.
In December 2022, Kirchner was sentenced to six years in prison and impeachment for corruption. She has appealed the verdict and described the proceedings against her as a political witch hunt.
Kirchner also criticized the investigations into her attempted murder, claiming that they covered up a larger plot against her by her political opponents.
The suspect, Fernando SM, 37, appeared together with his then girlfriend Brenda U., 25, who is accused as a co-conspirator. Her boyfriend, Nicolas C., 29, is also accused as an accomplice.
What was the plan to kill Christina Kirchner?
Fernando SM was caught on video attempting to shoot Kirchner as she mingled and shook hands with supporters gathered outside her home on September 1, 2022.
The suspect pulled the trigger of the loaded gun, but the weapon did not fire.
The indictment mentioned messages between Fernando SM and Brenda U. in which Kirchner’s killing was mentioned.
“I will go to Cristina’s house with the gun and shoot her,” read one of the messages from Fernando SM
After the attack, Nicolas C. sent a message saying that Fernando SM was “just one second away from being a national hero.”
“They were fully aware of their actions and the possible consequences,” the indictment states.
More than 270 witnesses are expected to be called to the trial, including Kirchner himself, said the politician’s lawyer, Marcos Aldazabal.
Sabag Montiel and Uliarte face up to 15 years in prison for attempted premeditated murder.
Who is Cristina Kirchner?
Kirchner became known as the wife of the late President Nestor Kirchner, who was in office from 2003 to 2007.
She then served as president of the country from 2007 to 2015 and vice president from 2019 to 2023.
The former president is a member of the Peronist Justice Party and a critic of the right-wing populist and self-proclaimed “anarcho-capitalist” President Javier Milei.
In December 2022, Kirchner was sentenced to six years in prison and impeachment for corruption. She has appealed the verdict and described the proceedings against her as a political witch hunt.
Kirchner also criticized the investigations into her attempted murder, claiming that they covered up a larger plot against her by her political opponents.
