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Fabiola Yañez confirmed the domestic violence accusation against former Argentine President Alberto Fernández
Fabiola Yañez revealed that the presidential doctor, Federico Saavedra, was aware of the beatings she received. During her testimony, she spoke about Fernández’s alleged addictions and reiterated accusations of infidelity by the former president. Visibly emotional, Yañez broke down as she stated that her alcohol problems began after the episodes of violence.
In a key hearing held at the Argentine consulate in Madrid, Fabiola Yañez provided harrowing details as she reaffirmed her accusations of physical and psychological abuse against former President Alberto Fernández. Yañez stated that the public images of bruises on her face and arms are evidence of the blows she received from Fernández during 2021. According to her testimony, the abuse intensified during the final year of his term, which she described as the most violent period she experienced.
The former First Lady recounted specific episodes of aggression, such as being violently grabbed by the neck by Fernández. She also revealed that the former president pressured her to undergo an abortion in 2016, leading her to develop a dependency on alcohol. Yañez noted that Fernández’s controlling behavior deeply affected her, causing a decline in her mental health, which led her to seek psychiatric treatment at the INECO Institute.
In her statement, Yañez also accused the presidential doctor at the time, Federico Saavedra, of downplaying the violent incidents by simply giving her arnica globules after an assault. Additionally, Yañez implicated former Minister of Women, Genders, and Diversity, Ayelén Mazzina, claiming that she showed her photos and videos of the assaults, without receiving any help from the official. Mazzina has denied these accusations, but Yañez indicated that she will provide the justice system with a recent chat she had with the former minister, as well as other documents supporting her account.
During the hearing, which lasted nearly four hours and was conducted via Zoom, Yañez broke down several times while recalling the traumatic episodes, requiring breaks to allow her to continue. In Buenos Aires, federal prosecutor Ramiro González directed the proceedings alongside gender violence specialists from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, who ensured a supportive environment for Yañez during her testimony.
On the other hand, the hearing was marked by legal controversy regarding the participation of Fernández’s defense. Mariana Gallego, Yañez’s lawyer, successfully requested that the defense of the former president, led by Silvina Carreira, not be present during the testimony to avoid revictimization. Carreira protested that she was not allowed to submit a list of questions, which she claims constitutes a violation of the right to defense. Carreira has stated that she will file motions for nullification to invalidate the hearing.
The case has sparked intense public debate in Argentina, especially after a recent interview in which Fernández, speaking to the Spanish newspaper "El País," denied the accusations and suggested that Yañez had been influenced by others to file the complaint. Fernández currently faces a restraining order preventing him from approaching Yañez, either physically or virtually.
In this context, Prosecutor González is now preparing to advance with the evidentiary measures that will corroborate Yañez’s statements, including the summoning of witnesses and the review of the documentary evidence presented. Additionally, a decision is pending on whether the case will continue in the federal courts of Buenos Aires or be transferred to San Isidro.
Yañez’s supporters have highlighted her resilience and determination in facing this legal process, confident that justice will shed light on the accusations and protect her rights as a victim of gender violence. The Argentine public is closely following the development of the case, which could have significant implications for the country’s politics and justice system.