Thousands rally in defence of Argentina’s Fernandez de Kirchner

Thousands take to the streets in Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s defense as prosecutors seek a 12-year prison sentence in a corruption case.

Police in Argentina has clashed with supporters of Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in the country’s capital, Buenos Aires.

The clashes on Saturday took place as thousands took to the streets in her defense two days after prosecutors sought a 12-year prison sentence against her as well as a ban on public office for alleged corruption during her government.

Prosecutors say Fernandez de Kirchner led an illicit scheme that siphoned off state funds through the awarding of public works contracts to a family friend between 2007 and 2015 while she was president of the country.

Fernandez de Kirchner denies the charges and claims she is a victim of judicial and political persecution.

The largest demonstration on Saturday took place outside the vice president’s home in the elegant Buenos Aires neighborhood of Recoleta, where in the early morning hours police set up fences in an effort to prevent a large gathering.

The demonstrators felt the fences were erected by Buenos Aires’ opposition mayor as a provocation and tore them down in the afternoon, which led to clashes with the police.

Agencies