Allegations of cover-up against Argentina president linger
BUENOS AIRES - An Argentine prosecutor is appealing a judge's decision to throw out a case that accused President Cristina Fernandez of reaching a cover-up deal with Iran in the bombing of a Jewish community center.
Prosecutor Gerardo Pollicita on Wednesday appealed the ruling of federal Judge Daniel Rafecas, who last week said the case wasn't strong enough to open an investigation. The appeal now goes to the Federal Chamber, which can uphold or reject Rafecas's ruling.
The case was being built by prosecutor Alberto Nisman, who was found dead Jan. 18, the day before he was to detail his allegations to Congress. Nisman accused Fernandez and others in her government of helping Iranian officials hide their role in the 1994 bombing. Fernandez has denied the allegations, and instead accused Israel and the U.S. of meddling in her country's affairs.
The judge, in rejecting the initial case, said: "There is not a single element of evidence, even circumstantial, that points to the actual head of state."
Three other prosecutors and a coordinator have been named to take over Nisman's general investigation into the bombing itself, which he had led for 10 years. No one has been convicted in the case.
Nisman's death has brought increased attention to his accusations against Fernandez, with television stations dedicating several hours each day to all aspects of his probe and the investigation into his death nearly a month after he was found with a bullet in his right temple. Fernandez's popularity has suffered, according to several polls.