An Argentine appeals court on April 24 upheld a lower-court ruling authorising the seizure of assets tied to former President Cristina Kirchner after a corruption conviction. The original judgment ordered about $500 million in damages, a sum her defence has contested. Kirchner, barred from office by the Supreme Court last June, is serving a six-year sentence under house arrest while remaining influential within the Peronist Justicialista party. La Nacion reports she moved several properties to her children as an advance on their inheritance.
Argentine Appeals Court Upholds Order To Seize Cristina Kirchner’s Assets
Argentina's former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner waves outside her residence, where she is currently staying under house arrest, on the day of a hearing in the "Causa Cuadernos" corruption trial, after being summoned to testify following the rejection of defence motions seeking to nullify the proceedings, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 17, 2026. REUTERS/Martin Cossarini
BUENOS AIRES, April 24 (Reuters) — An Argentine appeals court on April 24 upheld a lower-court ruling authorising the seizure of assets belonging to former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Reuters and local newspaper La Nacion reported.
The earlier judgment had ordered Kirchner and other defendants in the case to pay roughly $500 million in damages; her defence has contested that figure and sought to overturn the order. The appeals court decision preserves the lower court’s power to move forward with asset confiscation tied to the fraud conviction.
In June, Argentina’s Supreme Court barred the two-term ex-president and opposition leader from holding public office and affirmed a 2022 prison sentence stemming from a corruption scheme. Prosecutors say the scheme steered public road contracts in Patagonia to a close ally during Kirchner’s presidency.
Kirchner is serving a six-year sentence under house arrest in her Buenos Aires apartment and has continued to exert influence as a leading figure in the Peronist Justicialista party. La Nacion reported that she transferred several properties — including hotels and apartments in southern Argentina — to her children as an advance on their inheritance.
Legal and Political Implications
The appeals court decision tightens legal pressure on one of Argentina’s most prominent political figures and could accelerate efforts to recover damages ordered by the courts. Kirchner’s legal team is expected to pursue further appeals. The case continues to polarise domestic politics and will likely feature in public debate ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.
Reporting by Leila Miller; Editing by Iñigo Alexander. Sources: Reuters, La Nacion.
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