The oral trial for the attempted assassination of former Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has commenced. The incident, which occurred on September 1, 2022, involved Fernando Sabag Montiel, who approached Kirchner with a loaded gun but failed to discharge it. Montiel, who has resided in Argentina since 1993, was arrested immediately after the attempt.
During the investigation, Montiel admitted his intent to kill Kirchner due to the country's situation. His girlfriend, Brenda Uliarte, was also arrested but pleaded not guilty. Montiel claimed he acted alone and that Uliarte was not involved. Another individual, Nicolás Carrizo, has been identified as a secondary participant.
The trial, overseen by Federal Oral Court 6, involves 230 witnesses, including Kirchner herself. However, the court has dismissed claims of political motivation or external financing behind the attack, citing a lack of evidence. The trial will focus solely on the actions of Montiel, Uliarte, and Carrizo.
Cristina Kirchner has demanded further investigation into the intellectual authorship and potential financiers of the attack. Despite her criticisms, the court maintains that no substantial evidence links the accused to any political organization or external group. The trial is expected to last between six months to a year.
- The initial investigation faced obstacles when Montiel's mobile phone was reset, delaying the extraction of crucial evidence. This incident hindered the early stages of the investigation led by María Eugenia Capuchetti.
- The prosecutor's office emphasized that no links were found between the accused and any political group, despite the significant political impact of the attempted assassination. The court validated this interpretation, even though Kirchner's legal team criticized the decision.
- The trial's first hearing was broadcast on YouTube, detailing the events of September 1, 2022, and the charges against Montiel, Uliarte, and Carrizo. The court will conduct weekly four-hour hearings to proceed with the case.
- Prosecutor Gabriela Baigún had requested additional measures to explore the alleged political connections, but the court did not promote these, focusing instead on the direct actions of the accused. The investigation by prosecutor Carlos Rívolo found no evidence of external assistance or financing for the attack.
