Alberto Fernández, who called himself the country’s feminist leader during his term, allegedly beat his partner Fabiola Yáñez at the time First Lady for years. The official charge against him comes directly from a Buenos Aires investigating judge, Julián Ercolini, who conducted a seven-month investigation into the former president. Fernández allegedly perpetuated several incidents of violence as he was in the official residence from where he spoke out announcing government plans to combat domestic abuse by creating the Ministry of Women. The judge charged him with aggravated assault as part of gender-based violence, and brought several counts of aggravated minor assault and coercive threats against him.
In a recent court appearance, Fernández said, “If anyone in the relationship was assaulted, it was me. If anyone had to endure insults and mistreatment, it was me,” refusing any other official comment.
As the Wall Street Journal reports, Judge Ercolini said that Yáñez, who is now 43 years old and was never officially married to the former president, went through “several phases of violence that gradually stripped away her determination and will to escape the situation, seek help or report him to the authorities” in her 14-year relationship with him, during which time she birthed his son. “He wanted to control me constantly,” Yáñez wrote, describing his treatment as ”psychological terrorism.” Ercolini has also currently issued a restraining order prohibiting the former president from contacting Yáñez, who now lives in Madrid.
In light of the numerous charges against him, the former president could face a maximum sentence of 18 years in prison if convicted.
