Argentine President Fernandez accused of covering up 1994 bombing

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez has been accused of covering up of Iran's alleged involvement in the 1994 attack on a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. Eighty-five people were killed in the attack.

Deutsche Welle, 13 Feb 2015

Prosecutor Gerardo Pollicita said on Friday that he will launch an investigation into President Cristina Fernandez's potentially having covered up alleged Iranian involvement in a 1994 bombing.

Much of the case was built by former prosecutor Alberto Nisman. He, however, was found dead last month the day before a congressional hearing regarding the accusations against Fernandez.

"An investigation will be initiated with an eye toward substantiating ... the accusations and whether those responsible can be held criminally responsible," said a document published by Pollicita, who said there was enough evidence to continue looking into Nisman's complaint against Fernandez.

Nisman, who had been investigating the attack on the community center for 11 years, was mysteriously found dead in his Buenos Aires apartment with a gunshot wound to the head.

The 51-year-old's death was initially labeled as suicide, but suspicion has fallen on the Fernandez government, which has come under fire ever since. Fernandez said last month that she believed Nisman's death was part of a plot to mire her government in scandal.

Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman and two other pro-government politicians were also charged on Friday in connection with the alleged cover-up of the attack on the Jewish community center.

The accusation will now go to the judge in the case, Daniel Rafecas, who will decide whether Fernandez must to make a statement.

As Argentina's president, Fernandez cannot be tried without being stripped of her immunity. She is, however, due to leave office at the end of this year.

ksb/sms (Reuters, AFP, AP)