The oral trial proceeded with the reading of the prosecutor's request addressed to the former president and the other defendants
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The oral trial of the Cuadernos case resumed today for its fifth session with a central segment of the prosecution's case. Federal Prosecutor Carlos Stornelli stated that Cristina Fernández de Kirchner "received sums of money at her residences" originating from bribes paid by businesspeople during her administration.
The former president listened to the charges via Zoom from San José 1111, where she is under house arrest due to her conviction in the Vialidad case.
According to the prosecution's request, "the main recipient turned out to be Cristina Elisabet Fernández". It was explained that: "Beyond being the President of the Argentine Nation, she was the one who ultimately took possession of most of the money provided by private parties."
Se confirma que Cristina Kirchner fue la principal receptora de las coimas
The text reviewed various episodes of bribe payments. The prosecution concluded that "the links thus converge at a single point". Stornelli identified Roberto Baratta as "communicator and initial recipient," Muñoz as "one of the final intermediaries," and the former president as "the final recipient of funds."
The contributions of two collaborators who "confirmed the direct participation and involvement of the accused in receiving bribes guaranteed by private parties" were also highlighted.
The prosecution asserted that Cristina Kirchner "turned out to be the only one with real and effective capacity to decide how and what to do with most of the money delivered as bribes". It added: "She received money from businesspeople to exercise the necessary influence that would allow her to act in their favor."
The development of the debate in the virtual setting
Federal Oral Tribunal 7 continued the full reading of the request to proceed to trial. The prosecution maintained that an illicit association was set up to carry out various "criminal plans" during the Kirchner administration.
Kirchner durante las audiencias virtuales escuchando como desenmascaran sus planes delictivos
It was also confirmed that the former president and several former officials —including Julio De Vido, Roberto Baratta, Nelson Lazarte, Enrique Llorens, and José María Olazagasti— "received and/or participated" in the illegal payments.
The objective, according to the prosecution, was for the officials to "exercise their influence" to benefit the companies involved in public tenders.
The Tribunal established a schedule that will extend until December 2 to finish reading the requirements of the main case and two segments related to the awarding of public works. Starting this week, there are two hearings per week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The hearings on December 4, 9, 11, and 16 will be dedicated to the prosecution's case and the complaint by the Financial Information Unit in the segment known as "La Camarita", which investigates the cartelization of road public works. On December 18, the requirements of two other related cases will be addressed: "Trenes" and "Corredores Viales".
What comes next in the process
The judges Enrique Méndez Signori, Fernando Canero, and Germán Castelli asked the defense teams to submit preliminary matters in advance. There were affirmative responses, and a specific stage is expected to hear each argument and request opinions from Prosecutor Fabiana León and the UIF's complaint.
La fiscal Fabiana León expondrá su opinión junto a la querella de la UIF
If there are no changes, the 86 preliminary statements would begin in February 2026. Each defendant must appear before the Tribunal to provide their personal information, whether or not they speak in their defense.
For now, the mixed system remains in effect. The accused will attend in person before the judges, the prosecution, the complaint, and their defense teams. The rest of the parties will follow the hearings via Zoom.
TOF 7 still must decide whether to move the trial to Comodoro Py 2002 to increase in-person attendance and add a third day of hearings. To that end, the Supreme Court was consulted about the availability of a courtroom at Talcahuano 550. Until there is a response, the debate will continue virtually.
Tribunal Oral Federal 7 desde su despacho durante una audiencia virtual
Cristina Fernández remains connected from her apartment at San José 1111 along with her attorney Carlos Beraldi. Julio De Vido, recently detained after his conviction for the Once tragedy was upheld, is following the trial from Ezeiza prison. Ricardo Jaime also remains there, convicted in the same case and without access to the benefit of house arrest.
