What does the Cassation ruling that upheld Cristina's conviction in the Vialidad case say?

On November 13, 2024, the Federal Criminal Cassation Chamber upheld the conviction against the corrupt former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to six years in prison and perpetual disqualification from holding public office, for the crime of fraudulent administration in the case regarding the awarding of public works contracts to businessman Lázaro Báez in the province of Santa Cruz.

In an extensive 1,541-page ruling, Chamber IV of the court also confirmed the sentences imposed on Báez (6 years), former Secretary of Public Works José López (6 years), former head of the National Highway Directorate Nelson Periotti (6 years), as well as former officials of Santa Cruz's Highway Administration: Juan Carlos Villafañe (5 years), Raúl Gilberto Pavesi (4 years and 6 months), José Raúl Santibañez (4 years), Mauricio Collareda (4 years), and Raúl Osvaldo Daruich (3 years and 6 months).

That same day, the court also upheld the acquittals of several figures, including former Minister of Planning Julio De Vido, former Undersecretary of Public Works Abel Fatala, and former officials Héctor Garro and Carlos Kirchner, cousin of former president Néstor Kirchner. In the case of Carlos Kirchner, the acquittal was based on the statute of limitations of the case.

The sentence against Cristina Kirchner was supported by judges Mariano Borinsky and Diego Barroetaveña. In contrast, judge Gustavo Hornos expressed support for increasing the sentence and including the crime of illicit association, as requested by the prosecution.