Argentina's Kirchner faces 12 years in corruption case

A federal court on Tuesday rules in an investigation into alleged corruption that could harm the country's already volatile politics, and Argentina's Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner faces a sentence of as much as 12 years.

The court in Buenos Aires is expected to make a decision on the case in which Kirchner is accused of graft and is accused of allegedly leading an illegal association between her past governments and a construction magnate. In the event of a guilty verdict, the judges may issue a sentence for her and other defendants. Kirchner, who has denied wrongdoing repeatedly, is protected by her immunity as a senator and vice president from serving jail time.

The verdict will be released at 5: 30 p.m. local time, according to a court official.

The decision comes after a federal prosecutor recommended 12 years in prison and a lifetime ban on political positions for Kirchner, who was president from 2007 to 2015. She denounced the case as a political maneuver by the opposition to oust her from power.

It is the latest chapter of Kirchner's political career saga, from senator in the 90 s and first lady to President Nestor Kirchner at the beginning of the century to vice president who handpicked current head of state Alberto Fernandez. Kirchner, a polarizing figure, survived a botched assassination attempt in September that stunned the nation. She is also facing other cases of corruption at various stages of litigation.

In a rare interview with Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo published Monday, Kirchner said that any decision by the court was politically motivated and influenced by his political rival, former President Mauricio Macri, and media outlets that are critical of her.

She said that there will be a conviction.

Kirchner, 69, could appeal the decision to the supreme court, dragging the process along further. Two-thirds of the Congress' upper chamber would have to vote to remove Kirchner's senatorial immunity, which isn't expected to happen.

The expected sentencing is seen as both an increase in Argentina's political tensions and a way for the ruling coalition to galvanize positions ahead of the country's presidential elections next year. Some of the allies close to Kirchner have threatened with union strikes if the vice president is found guilty.

The situation is going to get nasty, as any outcome will likely result in deeper political polarization, said Juan Cruz Diaz, managing director of the Cefeidas Group in Buenos Aires. This case has been highly politicized from the start, and the results will be highly contested. None 11 Hours With Sam Bankman- Fried: Inside the Bahamian Penthouse After FTX's Fall