Former Argentine President Alberto Fernandez was formally charged on Wednesday with committing violence against former first lady Fabiola Yanez. Prosecutor Ramiro Gonzalez submitted documents to the court seeking charges for “minor and serious injuries” as well as “coercive threats.”
The prosecutor stated there was evidence Yanez had “suffered a relationship marked by harassment, psychological harassment and physical aggression in a context of gender and domestic violence.”
The domestic abuse allegations first emerged from text messages uncovered during a separate embezzlement investigation against Fernandez. Initially, Yanez chose not to press charges but later filed a criminal complaint.
Yanez’s lawyer reported that she contacted the investigating judge, stating, “I want to file a criminal complaint. I want to denounce him (Fernandez) for the blows I received from him and the threats I have been suffering.”
Recently, Argentine media published photos of Yanez showing bruises on her face and arm, adding visual evidence to the allegations.
Fernandez, who served as Argentina’s president from 2019 to 2023, has vehemently denied Yanez’s accusations. He has pledged to prove to the courts “what really happened.”
This case has sent shockwaves through Argentine politics, raising questions about accountability for high-profile figures and the issue of domestic violence in the country. As the legal process unfolds, it is likely to remain a focal point of national attention and debate.