29.1 C
Delhi
Friday, September 22, 2023

‘Assassination bid’ at Argentine ex-president: Media

Date:

Share post:

Buenos Aires: One person is in custody after pointing a gun at Argentina’s former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner as she greeted supporters outside her home in the capital.

Video clips show a man in a crowd aim the gun at the face of the Justicialist Party leader at close range – but the weapon does not fire.

de Kirchner was not hurt in the incident outside her Buenos Aires home, the BBC reported.

The politician is in the midst of a corruption trial and was returning from court. She denies the charges.

Argentina’s economy minister, Sergio Massa, called the attempted shooting an “attempted assassination”.

“When hate and violence prevail over debate, societies are destroyed and situations like these arise: attempted assassination,” he said in a tweet.

Footage shared on local media showed the man aiming a gun inches away from her head and appearing to attempt a shot. She then lowers her head but no shots were fired.

In another video posted on social media, others in the crowd appear to try to block de Kirchner from the suspected gunman.

de Kirchner is accused of defrauding the state and being involved in a scheme to divert public funds while she was president between 2007 and 2015, the BBC reported.

If convicted she could face 12 years in prison and a lifetime ban from politics.

Related articles

Kerala to hike financial aid for setting up micro ventures in handicrafts sector

Thiruvananthapuram: In a big support to the handicrafts sector, the Kerala Government has decided to steeply increase the...

Bangladesh suffers worst day of dengue with record number of deaths

Dhaka: Bangladesh has suffered its worst day yet of the dengue this year as deaths of the disease...

PM to visit Varanasi to inaugurate 16 Atal Awasiya Vidyalaya on Sep 23

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Varanasi on Saturday to inaugurate 16 Atal Awasiya Vidyalayas built...

Xi to attend opening ceremony of 19th Asian Games, hold diplomatic events

Beijing: On Sept. 22 and 23, Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the 19th...