The former Argentine president was sentenced to six years in prison and a lifetime ban from holding public office.

On Tuesday, the Argentine Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that sentenced former President Cristina Fernandez to six years in prison and imposed a lifetime ban from holding public office over alleged irregularities in awarding public works contracts in the province of Santa Cruz.

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Argentines Protest Against Court Ruling Targeting Cristina Fernandez

Across major cities in Argentina, thousands of citizens took to the streets to reject what they described as political persecution of the Justicialist Party leader. Abroad, progressive political leaders and intellectuals also voiced strong opposition to the court’s decision. Below are some of their reactions:

CUBA

President Miguel Diaz-Canel: “We reaffirm our unwavering support for Cristina Fernandez in the face of this episode of political judicialization. Once again, the justice system is used for political purposes as a tool of the right wing against progressive leaders in the region. Stay strong, dear Cristina.”

BOLIVIA

President Luis Arce: “We express our firm support and solidarity with our sister Cristina Fernandez, in light of the evident use of the justice system as a tool to undermine leftist and national popular forces. We reaffirm our backing of the sovereignty and dignity of the brotherly Argentine people.”

Former President Evo Morales: “With deep outrage, I express my solidarity with our sister Cristina Fernandez, her family, and the revolutionary people of Argentina. The unjust six-year prison sentence and lifetime disqualification is nothing more than political persecution aimed at disqualifying a leader of the people.

We are witnessing a modern-day version of Operation Condor: it is no longer military regimes at the service of empire, but rather servile judges to the oligarchy carrying out judicial coups against those who defend sovereignty and the rights of the majority.

We call for the unity and mobilization of the Argentine people in defense of democracy. Cristina is not alone. From the heart of the Great Homeland, we join the fight against lawfare and for a free, dignified, and sovereign Latin America.”

ECUADOR

Former President Rafael Correa: “Stay strong, Cristina! Stay strong, Argentina! Enough with lawfare! Defeat us — if you can — at the ballot box.”

SPAIN

Member of the European Parliament Irene Montero: “The sentence against Cristina Fernandez is a coup: a judicial and media dirty war designed to make an entire people give up their rights by targeting one woman. They want her imprisoned and removed from politics. Democratic forces around the world must stand by her side. We are with you, Cristina.”

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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