BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — On Monday, a federal judge determined that there is enough evidence to move forward with official charges against former Argentine President Alberto Fernández, who is accused of committing acts of violence against former first lady Fabiola Yáñez.
The allegations against Fernández include causing both minor and serious injuries, which were heightened by the context of gender violence and directed against his partner on two separate occasions. This ruling was made public by Judge Julián Ercolini in a document distributed to the press.
In addition to the charges, Ercolini has also imposed a freeze on 10 million pesos (approximately $8 million) of Fernández’s assets as part of the judicial process.
The 65-year-old politician, a member of the leftist Peronist party, served as Argentina’s president from 2019 until 2023. He has refuted the claims made by the 43-year-old Yáñez, which were filed in August 2024.
Yáñez’s complaint led to a prosecutor formally accusing Fernández last year, prompting an investigation. Judge Ercolini, acting within Argentina’s legal timelines, concluded that there is adequate evidence to formalize the charges against Fernández.
Fernández has the option to appeal this decision, and the case will advance to trial only after receiving rulings from higher courts, a process that could extend for several years.
The allegations detail that the physical abuse may have intensified after Yáñez became pregnant at the end of July or early August 2021, involving actions such as neck grabbing, shaking, and open-handed slaps, resulting in physical injuries.
Evidence reviewed by the judge includes conversations from WhatsApp between Yáñez and the then-president’s private secretary, which contained images of her injuries. The judge also considered Yáñez’s personal testimonies, medical documentation, and the corroborating accounts from family and friends.
Judge Ercolini commented that the alleged eight years of “psychological and physical aggression” have inflicted significant psychological damage on Yáñez, leading to long-term health deterioration.
If found guilty, Fernández faces the possibility of a prison sentence of up to 18 years.
