The Argentine judiciary ruled on Tuesday that Cristina Fernández de Kirchner must serve her six-year prison sentence at her home, after the Supreme Court upheld the sentence in the "Vialidad" case. The former president will remain in her apartment at 1,111 San José Street, in the Monserrat neighborhood of Buenos Aires, where she must comply with a series of control measures established by the court.
The decision was made by the Federal Oral Court No. 2, which accepted Kirchner's defense request not to be transferred to the Ezeiza prison, thus avoiding her appearance this Wednesday at the Comodoro Py courts.
Surveillance device and restrictions
According to judicial sources cited by Infobae, one of the main conditions imposed is the use of an electronic ankle monitor, which will be installed by the Directorate for Assistance to Persons Under Electronic Surveillance, under the Ministry of National Security.
The ruling explicitly orders: "Order the placement of an electronic surveillance device", which will allow for permanent monitoring of her location.
Cristina Kirchner cumplirá su condena en prisión domiciliaria con tobillera
In addition to the use of the device, the former president will have restrictions regarding visits and movements within the residence. Although the authorized visitation regime has not yet been publicly detailed, it is expected that entry to the property will be limited to immediate family members and a small group of close associates, according to established security guidelines.
First effects of the final sentence
The court's decision comes one week after the Supreme Court made final the six-year prison sentence and permanent disqualification from holding public office for her role in the Vialidad case, which investigated the awarding of public works in Santa Cruz during her administration.
Cristina Kirchner cumplirá su condena en prisión domiciliaria con tobillera
With this ruling, Cristina Kirchner avoids serving her sentence in a federal penitentiary facility, at least in this initial stage, although the measure doesn't change the nature of her criminal conviction. Her situation will be regularly monitored by the judiciary and could be modified if noncompliance is detected.
Meanwhile, no public statements have been issued by the former vice president's inner circle since the measure became known. Meanwhile, sectors of the ruling party are considering mobilizations to symbolically support CFK, while the opposition has demanded that house arrest not entail "any political privilege."
