A federal court ruled on March 28 that former president Cristina Kirchner did not violate the terms of her house arrest by greeting supporters from her balcony in Monserrat. The decision came after prosecutors Diego Luciani and Sergio Mola asked the court to revoke Kirchner’s house arrest, arguing she had “altered public order” and endangered her own safety.
The issue is significant because it concerns whether public appearances or interactions by high-profile defendants can affect their legal status while under detention. Prosecutors said that gatherings of supporters outside Kirchner’s residence, especially during her transfer to court for the so-called Cuadernos case and a recent commemoration event, represented a security risk and contradicted the reasons for granting her house arrest following an assassination attempt in 2022.
Luciani and Mola argued that Kirchner’s actions on March 24—when she spent about an hour greeting people from her balcony—were an “unnecessary exposure” and requested a warning with possible revocation of privileges if such incidents happened again. However, Judge Rodrigo Giménez Uriburu rejected these arguments, stating that all transfers to Comodoro Py courthouse were carried out under strict supervision without incident. He also said that the events on March 24 were exceptional and did not constitute a breach of conduct rules.
The judge further noted that quarterly behavior reports remain favorable for Kirchner, who was convicted in the Vialidad case. The ruling means that occasional greetings or public gestures are not enough to change the conditions of detention imposed since June 15.
The decision clarifies how judicial authorities interpret compliance with house arrest terms for high-profile figures amid ongoing legal proceedings.
