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Argentine Prosecutor Appeals Judge’s Rejection in AFA Corruption Case

The challenge could force the case back into instruction under a new judge.

Overview

  • Prosecutor Pedro Simón filed an appeal Monday to the Tucumán Federal Chamber and asked the judicial watchdog to review Judge Sebastián Argibay’s conduct.
  • Simón accuses AFA chief Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia and treasurer Pablo Toviggino of aggravated criminal association and money laundering, with requests for arrests, searches, and asset freezes still pending.
  • The filing cites about ARS 3.633 billion in transfers from AFA to firms linked to Toviggino at Banco Coinag, which the prosecutor calls a red flag that requires tracing the source of funds.
  • Simón argues Argibay applied the wrong standard by demanding proof fit for a verdict at a stage that only needs enough suspicion to open an investigation.
  • Before the appeal, Argibay tossed the case and sent it to Zárate‑Campana, that court sent it back to Santiago del Estero, Argibay was recused, and Judge Guillermo Molinari now holds the file.