Argentina: Protesters, police clash near vice-president’s home

Thousands of protesters gathered outside Argentina’s Vice-President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner home in the capital Buenos Aires, tearing down barriers and clashing with police.

The protesters rallied in support of the Vice-President who denies corruption charges against her.

Reports say the corruption charges sparked outrage among Ms. Kirchner’s supporters, some of whom spent days gathered outside her residence in a show of support.

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The protests on Saturday turned violent when demonstrators started pulling down barriers erected by police around Ms. Kirchner’s home.

Media reports say at least five police officers were injured, and four protesters were arrested.

Corruption charges

Prosecutors want the former president to be given 12 years in prison and to be banned from public office.

The 69-year-old is accused of defrauding the state and being involved in a scheme to divert public funds while she was president between 2007 and 2015.

Ms. Kirchner has denied the charges against her and says she is being persecuted.

Ms. Kirchner has faced numerous other corruption trials following her time as president. The verdict of this trial is expected to take some months.

Zainab Sa’id