Argentina News: Alberto Nisman Death Investigation Reveals Arrest Warrant Planned for President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner
As the investigation into the death of prosecutor Alberto Nisman continues, new evidence has emerged, suggesting the prosecutor had drafted an arrest warrant for President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
Though investigator Viviana Fein had first stated no documents had been discovered at Nisman's residence, she recanted, explaining the draft or arrest warrants had been found in Nisman's garbage can, according to the BBC. The drafted arrest warrants were for President Fernandez de Kirchner and her foreign minister, Hector Timerman.
Fein recanted after the newspaper Clarin reported on Sunday police had found documents. Clarin stated the documents were dated June 2014, months before Nisman presented his nearly 300-page report, and they were not included in the report. Two chiefs of police also signed the 26-page warrant.
Nisman was found dead in his apartment with a bullet wound in the head on Jan. 18, a day before he was to testify in front of the nation's legislature and after he accused the president and Minister Timerman of conspiring with Iran to cover up the AMIA bombing of 1994.
According to Sergio Berensztein, a political analyst, interviewed by The New York Times, Nisman probably discarded the idea of presenting President Fernandez de Kirchner with an arrest warrant would have ignited a political crisis and unforeseen before.
"It would have been a scandal on a level previously unseen," he said.
Susana Ciruzzi, a professor of criminal law at the University of Buenos Aires, said arresting the president of Argentina would require congressional involvement to take away her immunity.
The investigation continues as a judge ordered Nisman's safety deposit box at a bank opened, according to the Buenos Aires Herald. Judge Fabiana Palmaghini said she believes "new supporting documentation of interest to the investigation could come up."
Prosecutor Fein, handling the investigation into Nisman's death, has been under pressure, according to her superior, Prosecutor Ricardo Saenz, reports the Buenos Aires Herald.
"She is concerned and aware that this is a very important case. She feels some kind of pressure because everyone is talking about her, even politicians," Sáenz said. "If she didn't, she would be irresponsible."
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