• Cristina Fernández de Kirchner granted house arrest to serve a six-year corruption sentence.
• The ruling considers her age, safety, and previous assassination attempt.
• Fernández's conviction has led to protests against perceived political persecution.

Former Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner will serve her six-year prison sentence for corruption under house arrest, following a ruling by a federal court in Buenos Aires. The decision was influenced by her age—72 years old—and her significant public profile, which the court deemed warranted the option of house arrest rather than confinement in a prison setting. The court also cited security risks, referencing a 2022 assassination attempt against her, stating that her safety would be compromised in prison conditions. She is required to stay at her registered address unless in exceptional situations, and will be monitored electronically during her house arrest, according to Reuters, Los Angeles Times, and Al Jazeera.

The court’s ruling was preceded by Argentina's Supreme Court upholding her corruption conviction, which found that she had orchestrated a fraud scheme involving public contracts benefiting a close associate. This corruption charge led to her being permanently banned from holding public office. Following the court's decision, protests erupted in Buenos Aires with supporters decrying the ruling as politically motivated retribution against the popular yet polarizing figure known for shaping the Kirchnerism movement in Argentine politics. The ruling has sparked significant public dissent, as it occurred shortly after she announced her campaign for upcoming legislative elections, as reported by India Times and Anadolu Agency.

This decision raises further questions regarding the Argentine judicial system and its treatment of high-profile political figures, particularly considering Fernández’s long-standing political career and controversial legacy. During her presidency from 2007 to 2015, she was both lauded for social assistance programs and criticized for economic management, which many argue led to Argentina's current socioeconomic challenges. As she faces additional corruption trials, the political landscape in Argentina continues to be shaped by her actions and public perceptions relative to her tenure, according to Reuters, Los Angeles Times, and India Times.