Panic as man points gun at Argentina's former president live on TV during protest

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who served as Argentina's president from 2007 to 2015, pointed a gun at her as supporters protested her trial in course for corruption

Argentine Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner speaks to supporters during a protest near her home (

Image: AFP via Getty Images

A gun was pointed at Argentine Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in a chilling incident Thursday night.

Local TV footage showed an unidentified assailant with a gun, although Ms Kirchner remained unharmed as no shots were fired.

The incident happened at the entrance to Ms. Kirchner's home in Buenos Aires, where hundreds of protesters have gathered in recent days in support of the former president, who is facing trial for bribery.

TV footage showed no shots were fired after a man pointed a gun at Ms Kirchner in the middle of a crowd.

Local media said the attacker could be Brazilian.

A gunman was arrested after Ms Kirchner greeted supporters (

Picture:

Getty Images)

Ms. Kirchner faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted of leading a criminal association that improperly awarded government contracts.

Prosecutors have asked a judge to consider a 12-year sentence after the 69-year-old allegedly handed out work contracts to a friend and ally.

"We are facing the greatest corruption maneuver this country has ever seen," the AP reported, according to prosecutor Diego Luciani, in his closing arguments during Ms. Kirchner's trial.

She has been vice-president since 2019, having led Argentina from 2007 to 2015.

Mr. Luciani said the alleged fraud had cost the country up to $1bn (£847m).