Judges favoring accused in AFA case linked to Barroetaveña and Borinsky

A significant ruling by two judges from Argentina's highest criminal court, the Federal Criminal Cassation Chamber, has sent the case involving a property linked to the Argentine Football Association (AFA) back to lower courts. Judges Diego Barroetaveña and Mariano Borinsky sided with the accused, who are alleged to be straw men in the scheme.

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The case of the Pilar farm associated with the AFA returns to the justice of Campana, as sought by the alleged straw men in the case, by decision of two judges of the Cassation: Diego Barroetaveña and Mariano Borinsky.

Barroetaveña's participation in this decision has drawn controversy due to his prior affiliation with the AFA. Until November of the previous year, he served on the AFA's Ethics Tribunal. Despite requests from the Civic Coalition for his recusal, the Cassation Chamber rejected the motion, arguing that political party leaders, who were the complainants, were not parties to the case and thus could not file recusals.

This ruling is not the first time these judges have been at the center of politically charged decisions. Barroetaveña, in particular, has a history of controversial judgments. In the 'Cuadernos' case, he, along with colleagues Carlos Mahiques and Daniel Petrone, controversially reclassified alleged bribes paid by businessman Angelo Calcaterra to Kirchnerist officials as unregistered campaign contributions. This decision, which faced significant public backlash, was later annulled by the same judges.

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Barroetaveña is one of the leaders of the Bordó list.

Borinsky also has a notable judicial record, including his role as a prosecutor who accused Carlos Menem in the arms trafficking case involving Ecuador and Croatia. Both judges are known for handling high-profile cases involving influential figures, making their decisions subjects of intense public and political scrutiny. Barroetaveña is currently seeking re-election to the Council of the Magistracy, an influential body that selects and removes judges.

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Barroetaveña's intervention in the specific AFA case was surrounded by controversy due to his links with the investigated entity itself: until November last year, Barroetaveña was a member of its AFA Ethics Tribunal.