Argentine ex-president Fernandez testifies in corruption probe

Former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez has provided testimony in a corruption case, which she condemned as political persecution.  

Fernandez appeared in a federal court in the capital of Buenos Aires on Monday amid the presence of masses of her supporters who filled the streets.

The backers of the center-leftist greeted her and shouted, "Cristina!" as she went by with some of them wearing shirts or carrying banners in solidarity with her while clashes with police were also reported.

Federal Judge Julian Ercolini had called Fernandez to testify as part of an investigation to see if she was involved in a corruption ring that favored certain firms in the awarding of public works contracts.

After she gave her testimony, Fernandez said she is the victim of "political persecution" by her successor and current president, Mauricio Macri.

She likened her case to that of Brazil’s former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who came to office as the first leftist leader in Brazil in nearly half a century and is currently facing corruption charges.

"It's a tremendous maneuvering of political persecution and media harassment, which isn't anything new. We've seen it in Brazil respecting former President Lula. And it is actually aimed at those we represent, at least symbolically," she said.

Fernandez further said Macri’s government is using the case to "cover up the social-economic disaster we have today in Argentina."

Former Planning Minister Julio De Vido is one of the officials who served under Fernandez's government and are expected to testify this week in the same probe.

Fernandez, who was in power in 2007-15, left office in December 2015 after two consecutive terms.

Macri said on Monday that his government would not interfere with the justice system. "The justice system has to act independently, we don't get ourselves involved," he said.

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