Argentina corruption trial against Fernández set to proceed

May 16, 2019 GMT
In this handout photo provided by the Unidad Ciudadana political party, former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez smiles as she officially present her book "Sincerely," during the Buenos Aires book fair in Argentina, Thursday, May 9, 2019. The presentation of her memoirs has become a best-seller since its release. (Unidad Ciudadana via AP )
In this handout photo provided by the Unidad Ciudadana political party, former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez smiles as she officially present her book "Sincerely," during the Buenos Aires book fair in Argentina, Thursday, May 9, 2019. The presentation of her memoirs has become a best-seller since its release. (Unidad Ciudadana via AP )

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina’s Supreme Court says the first corruption trial against former President Cristina Fernández is still scheduled to start next week, despite a judicial order that her opponents feared could delay the trial into the presidential campaign season or beyond.

The court this week said it would review the case file to evaluate legal arguments presented by the former leader — a move widely expected to delay a trial set to start Tuesday.

But the court issued a statement Thursday saying the review “does not suspend the pending oral proceeding.” It still would have to return the documents by the start of the hearing.

Fernández is accused of taking bribes during her 2007-2015 presidency. She denies any wrongdoing.

She is expected to challenge her conservative successor Mauricio Macri in October elections.