Kirchner Convicted Of Corruption

Argentinean Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has been found guilty of corruption offenses, reports the Buenos Aires Times.

On Tuesday, she was found guilty of corruption, given a six-year sentence and a lifetime ban from holding political office.

Kirchner was accused of favoring business tycoon Lázaro Báez in awarding tenders for public works projects in her stronghold province of Santa Cruz during her time as president from 2007 to 2015.

Báez also received a six-year sentence for corruption on Tuesday.

Kirchner has denied the charges and claims she is the victim of judicial and political persecution.

She has political immunity due to her position as deputy leader and head of the Senate and cannot be detained prior to the Supreme Court confirming her sentence, a process that could take as long as six years, analysts said.