Argentine court confirms indictment of ex-prosecutor in Nisman death probe

An Argentine appeals court has confirmed the indictment of former prosecutor Viviana Fein, who led the initial investigation into the 2015 death of prosecutor Alberto Nisman. The ruling addresses alleged irregularities in her handling of the crime scene, a case that continues to be shrouded in mystery.

The Federal Chamber of Buenos Aires upheld Fein's indictment, though it modified the original charge. While prosecutors had accused her of "aggravated cover-up," the appeals court found insufficient evidence for that specific charge. However, it did confirm that Fein was guilty of "omission of evidence preservation" due to significant mishandling of the scene where Nisman was found dead.

Judges cited "undeniable alteration of the scene" resulting from multiple individuals entering without proper protection, inadequate evidence conservation, and a failure to collect crucial evidence in a timely manner. This decision means Fein's case will now move toward a public trial, further complicating the long-standing investigation into Nisman's demise.

Nisman was found dead in his Buenos Aires apartment on January 18, 2015, with a gunshot wound to the head. He was scheduled to testify before Congress the following day about his investigation into an alleged cover-up related to the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center. His death remains officially classified as a homicide by federal authorities, who are also examining the actions of other individuals, including Nisman's former bodyguards and an associate.