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Alberto Fernández Accused of Domestic Violence Following Shocking Allegations
Explore the shocking allegations against Alberto Fernández as he faces accusations of domestic violence. This article delves into the details of the claims, reactions from the public, and the potential implications for the political landscape.
Alberto Fernández Accused of Domestic Violence
On Wednesday, Argentine prosecutors formally accused Alberto Fernández, the former president of Argentina who left office in December 2023, of domestic violence. This shocking development follows the emergence of troubling images showing his partner at the time, the former first lady, with a black eye. The legal documents filed by prosecutors detail serious allegations against Mr. Fernández.
According to the court documents, the accusations against Mr. Fernández include “grievous bodily harm” and “coercive threats” directed towards Fabiola Yáñez, his partner during his presidency. A federal judge will now determine whether to proceed with an indictment on these charges, which could potentially result in a prison sentence for the former president.
Mr. Fernández, 65, who served as president from 2019 until 2023, has vehemently denied the allegations, stating, “I’ve never hit a woman,” in an interview with the media outlet El País.
Details of the Allegations
Prosecutors have provided a stark account of the alleged abuse, claiming that Mr. Fernández repeatedly struck Ms. Yáñez, 43, and subjected her to psychological torment during their time together at the presidential residence just outside Buenos Aires. They assert that it was not uncommon for Mr. Fernández to slap Ms. Yáñez with such force that it left her cheek feeling “burning.” In one particularly alarming instance, he reportedly punched her in the eye, resulting in a visible black eye.
The charges also include an incident from August 2021, where prosecutors allege that Mr. Fernández kicked Ms. Yáñez in the stomach, fully aware that she could have been pregnant at the time. Furthermore, Ms. Yáñez has claimed that he exerted control over her movements and coerced her into having an abortion in 2016, a time when abortion was still illegal in Argentina.
Although the couple never married, they shared a relationship spanning over ten years and have one child together. The gravity of the accusations came to light during an investigation that uncovered photos of Ms. Yáñez with a black eye and bruised arm on the mobile phone of Mr. Fernández’s former secretary. This discovery was part of a separate investigation into an alleged embezzlement scheme, which is also under scrutiny, with prosecutors considering charges against Mr. Fernández in that context as well.