(Buenos Aires) The scandal that has been shaking Argentine politics for a week, that of the alleged violence of former President Alberto Fernández (2019-2023) against his ex-partner, reached a milestone on Wednesday, with the request to charge the former head of state with assault and battery with aggravated circumstances.
The federal prosecutor’s indictment follows a complaint filed last week by Fabiola Yañez, 43, against Mr. Fernández, 65, with whom she lived for about ten years. Since the complaint, Mr. Fernández has already been banned from leaving Argentina and from having contact with the complainant.
In his order, to which AFP had access, prosecutor Ramiro Gonzalez considers that the facts “could fall under the offences of minor and serious injuries, doubly aggravated, and coercive threats”.
In his order, he requests, among other things, the hearing of members of the presidential staff – including the doctor, the steward, Mr. Fernández’s private secretary –, the entry and exit logs, videos and the medical file of Fabiola Yañez.
The indictment request technically requires the signature of the judge overseeing the case, but “it is very unlikely” and rare that the judge will not ratify it, a source familiar with the matter said.
“Asymmetrical power relationship”
In its argument, the prosecution notes “a context of gender violence based on an asymmetrical and unequal power relationship that has developed over time” and which was “exponentially accentuated by the election of Fernández” to the presidency in 2019.
The prosecution’s hypothesis is that, in this context, Alberto Fernandez engaged in “criminally reprehensible behavior.”
On Tuesday, the former first lady was heard as part of her complaint by a magistrate from Buenos Aires via videoconference from the Argentine consulate in Madrid, where she now resides with the son she had in 2022 with Mr. Fernández.
In a written statement prior to this hearing, she stated that “the abuse, harassment, contempt, assaults, blows” had “proven to be a constant”. She spoke of “almost daily slaps in a context of verbal violence”. And “the coercion” exercised by her ex-partner, which had led her in 2016 to “the terrible decision to have an abortion”.
Mr. Fernandez, since the accusations, has denied any violence, promising to provide “proof.” “I never hit Fabiola Yañez. I never hit a woman,” he reaffirmed in the Spanish daily. The Country on Tuesday, suggesting that he too had been the victim of verbal violence in the couple. He said he was determined to “let justice decide.”
The revelation of the alleged violence – and some leaked photos of alleged bruises on Fabiola Yañez – caused a scandal in Argentina, generating a flood of condemnations from all political sides.
Other revelations to come?
Not the least virulent, the ultraliberal president Javier Milei castigated, with obvious delight, the “progressive hypocrisy” of the Peronists. [centre gauche]in power for 16 of the last 20 years, and who claim to be champions of the cause of women – in which Argentina is at the forefront in Latin America.
“Fernandez, champion of feminism, who beats his wife…”, joked Javier Milei on Tuesday on his X account.
The revelations have also cast a shadow over the Peronist camp – which has promptly distanced itself from Mr. Fernández since the accusations. But about which part of the press is now asking: who, how many knew and said nothing?
In this context, the upcoming hearing – and possible revelations – of Maria Cantero, Mr. Fernández’s long-time private secretary, takes on particular significance. It was on her phone, seized as part of a separate investigation – for embezzlement in insurance contracts – that the photos and messages exchanged with the former first lady were discovered.