Cristina Fernandez Accused of Money Laundering Without Proof

The accusations against former President Cristina Fernandez are unfounded because no evidence has been presented, which means the investigation against her is purely political “persecution” and an act of revenge by the new government of President Mauricio Macri, the head of the Front for Victory party said Monday.

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“There are accusations that are made easily with evidence that does not exist,” said lower chamber Front for Victory lawmaker Hector Recalde. “This is persecution ... there is a push for revenge which is similar to the 1955 coup” that overthrew democratically-elected President Juan Domingo Peron.

Recalde assured the Front for Victory party will be behind Fernandez all the way.

He also suggested that instead of investigating the former Kirchnerist president, Macri should be put under the spotlight for his links to the Panama Papers scandal.

“The government of Macri is evading their responsibilities, because if they do speak of transparency, they should explain their involvement” in the tax evasion and money laundering scandal revealed by the Panama Papers leak.

“An offshore account is usually set up with illegal objectives,” Recalde said, demanding Macri to explain his involvement.

On Saturday, Argentine Prosecutor Guillermo Marijuan filed money laundering charges against Fernandez, following testimony from suspects in an ongoing investigation into an alleged money laundering scandal.

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The decision followed testimony on Friday by businessman Leonardo Farina, who in a plea bargain implicated Fernandez and her late husband and former President Nestor Kirchner in a case related to money laundering and embezzling funds earmarked for public works.

Julio De Vido, a long time Fernandez and Kirchner ally and former minister, was also charged, local newspapers Clarin and La Nacion reported, citing judicial sources.

Last Tuesday, another Fernandez ally, businessman Lazaro Baez, was arrested for questioning as part of the same investigation.

Fernandez, 63, is due to answer questions in court on Wednesday over a separate probe into the sale of U.S. dollar futures contracts at below-market rates by the central bank during her administration.