Argentina: controversy after releases of detainees to avoid contagion from Covid

Rawson prison, in the province of Chubut, in Argentina (illustration image). Getty Images

Text by: Jean-Louis Buchet

The controversy flames in Argentina following the release of several dozen detainees to avoid contagion of Covid-19 in often overcrowded prisons. Detainees on remand or sentenced for so-called minor crimes were thus transferred and placed under house arrest. But also prisoners condemned for serious crimes, following the decision of a judge allowing it after study case by case, which scandalized the opinion, which is now attacking the Peronist government.

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From our correspondent in Buenos Aires,

If the first releases from prison, presented as humanitarian decisions of judges in favor of petty criminals, had led to the rejection of part of the Argentines, those of those convicted of blood crimes or rapes ignited opinion. Furthermore, the absence of official figures suggests to some that there is a government plan to massively release detainees.

The government is also suspected of wanting to use the pandemic to release former members of Cristina Kirchner's governments convicted of corruption, as was the case with former vice-president Amado Boudou in early April.

In recent days the protest has been growing, on social networks or with concerts of pots and pans in the windows, confinement requires. According to a survey, 82% of Argentines disapprove of these releases. Attacked by the opposition, which nevertheless supports Alberto Fernández as regards the fight against the coronavirus, the president was forced to react: on Twitter he affirmed that only the judges could take such decisions concerning the detainees and that he there was no plan for mass release or amnesty. But the controversy continues.

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  • Argentina
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