Teh supreme Court of Argentina has rejected the appeal of former President Cristina Fernández (2007-2015), solidifying her six-year prison sentence and lifetime ban from holding public office. the sentence, initially handed down in 2022, stemmed from irregularities in the allocation of road construction projects.

The unanimous decision by the three Supreme Judges means that Fernández could face arrest in the coming days to begin serving her sentence.

According to the court’s ruling, Judges Horacio Rosatti, Carlos Rosenkrantz, and Ricardo Lorenzetti stated: “The sentences issued by the previous courts settled in the profuse evidence produced (…) without being demonstrated in any way that the decision appealed does not constitute a reasoned referral of the current law in accordance with the particular circumstances proven in the case, nor that during the process some constitutional guarantee has been violated.”

The ruling further stated, “Due process has been safeguarded and the appellant has obtained a sentence based on law.” The sentence,related to irregularities in public works projects in the province of Santa Cruz,will now be sent to Federal oral Court 2,where Judge Jorge Gorini will execute the 2022 sentence.

Milei Reacts: “Justice”

The Supreme Court’s decision arrives shortly after the former president announced her intention to run in legislative elections in Buenos Aires province, scheduled for September. With the ruling finalized before the July 19 deadline for candidate submissions, Fernández is now barred from participating in these elections or any future ones.

The case against her, known as ‘road’, centered on alleged irregularities in the awarding of 51 road works in Santa Cruz to companies linked to businessman Lázaro Báez during the presidencies of Néstor Kirchner (2003-2007) and Cristina Fernández (2007-2015). While Fernández, who is over 70, may request house arrest, her legal team must present justification for the request, which will be reviewed by prosecutor Diego Luciani.

Argentina’s current president, Javier Milei, responded to the ruling by declaring that “justice” had been served. He posted on X (Twitter): “Justice. End. PD: The republic works and all corrupt journalists, accomplices of liar politicians, have been exposed in their operettas about the alleged impunity pact,” referencing accusations that he had made a deal with the former president.