Attempted Assassination of Ex-President Fernandez de Kirchner: Sabag Montiel Gets 10 Years

A federal court in Argentina has delivered a significant verdict, sentencing Fernando Sabag Montiel to 10 years in prison for his audacious attempt to assassinate former Vice President and President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. The incident, which sent shockwaves across the nation, occurred on September 1, 2022, outside her Buenos Aires home.

Sabag Montiel, a 37-year-old Brazilian national, had pointed a loaded gun at Fernandez de Kirchner's head at close range as she greeted supporters.

Miraculously, the weapon failed to fire, averting what could have been a national tragedy. The dramatic moment was captured on video, showing the former leader ducking as her security detail quickly intervened, apprehending Sabag Montiel.

Alongside Sabag Montiel, his ex-girlfriend, Brenda Uliarte, also received a substantial sentence of 8 years in prison.

She was found guilty of being an accomplice in the meticulously planned attack. While the court has delivered its verdict, two other individuals who were initially implicated in the conspiracy were acquitted, highlighting the complexities of the investigation.

During the trial, prosecutors presented compelling evidence suggesting that Sabag Montiel and Uliarte had carefully plotted the assassination attempt.

Their motives, however, remained somewhat opaque, with no clear political or ideological affiliation emerging that could fully explain the extreme act. The defense argued that Sabag Montiel suffered from mental health issues and was not fully aware of his actions, a claim the court ultimately rejected.

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, a hugely influential figure in Argentine politics, has served two terms as president (2007-2015) and was vice president under President Alberto Fernandez at the time of the attack.

The attempted assassination occurred amidst a period of heightened political tension, with Fernandez de Kirchner facing a corruption trial, which she vehemently denied as politically motivated persecution.

The sentencing brings a measure of closure to a deeply unsettling chapter in Argentina's recent history.

The incident not only underscored the fragility of political stability but also raised serious questions about security protocols for high-profile public figures. The court's decision reaffirms the rule of law and sends a strong message against political violence, ensuring that such grave attempts to subvert democracy are met with severe legal consequences.