Former President Alberto Fernández of Argentina has been formally charged with committing violence against his ex-partner and former first lady Fabiola Yáñez. The charges include “minor and serious injuries, doubly aggravated” and “coercive threats.” Prosecutor Ramiro González has requested additional evidence measures, including taking testimonies from former presidential doctor Federico Saavedra and others. Fernández, a left-leaning Peronist politician who was president from 2019 to 2023, has denied the allegations and vowed to prove his innocence in court.
Yáñez testified before a federal court in Argentina, confirming the complaint of gender violence she filed against Fernández. The charges come after Yáñez’s accusations surfaced in leaked text messages during an investigation into embezzlement allegations against Fernández. He is accused of irregularities in awarding state insurance contracts, which he also denies.
Recent images in the Argentine press show marks on Yáñez’s face and armpit that may be from blows, allegedly sent to Fernández’s former secretary. Since the accusations emerged, Fernández has not been seen outside his Buenos Aires apartment. The case highlights the issue of gender violence in Argentina and the legal process that will determine the outcome of the charges against the former president.
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