New DNA investigated in Alberto Nismans death case
Argentine investigators confirmed they found a second person’s DNA this week in the apartment of prosecutor Alberto Nisman who was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted…
Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (R) gestures as Argentinian foreign minister Hector Timerman (L) looks on during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People on February 4, 2015 in Beijing, China. New DNA evidence has emerged in the death case of prosecutor Alberto Nisman. (Getty Images)
Argentine investigators confirmed they found a second person’s DNA this week in the apartment of prosecutor Alberto Nisman who was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, and have called in a witness to check for a match. This could lend validity that Nisman’s death is suspicious and might not be a suicide at all.
Argentina is still feeling the effects of the mysterious death of prosecutor Alberto Nisman, who was found dead with a bullet to the forehead the night before he was due to present allegations against President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman.
SEE ALSO: Arrest request draft for Argentine President found at Nismans home
Nisman was set to allege that the two had brokered an illegal deal with Iran to cover up a 1994 bombing of a Buenos Aires Jewish center that killed 85 people. In exchange, Argentina would sell grain to Iran and Iran would sell oil to Argentina as part of a broadening commercial relationship between the two countries. However, Nisman’s death thwarted any further prosecutorial efforts.
“(A) statement released by the office of Judge Fabiana Palmaghini said she is calling in a person who visited Nisman the day before his body was found. She did not name him, but consultant Diego Lagomarsino has acknowledged visiting Nisman on Jan. 17,” the Associated Press reported on Tuesday.
Timerman is the cofounder of the human rights group Americas Watch and a former ambassador to the U.S. He has denied the accusations and spoke to the Washington Post in one of his first interviews since the revelation.
President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, seen on television at a ceremony on Friday. (AP)
Timermans father was a crusading journalist jailed by the regime governing Argentina in the 1970s, so to him, the defense of human rights is a crucial part of Argentinas past, present and future. He insists he has committed his whole life to such an endeavor and would never make deals with Iran both on an ethical and logical basis.
Timerman said the accusations were ridiculous because Iranian oil has too much sulfur for Argentinian refineries so it cannot even be used within the country. In addition, the government of Argentina does not sell agricultural products. They dont have anything to sell because agricultural products such as soybeans are sold by the private sector.
Even if Iranian oil was good, we would not do it because we have a tradition of fighting for human rights and to bring to justice every person who violates human rights in Argentina. We have fought against the dictatorship. We have a tradition. We have a history. I will not throw out of the window my history, the history of my family, the history of my government, the history of my friends who were killed during the dictatorship. I will not do that.
When asked about his opinion on Nismans death, he did not speculate, saying that it would not be in accordance with his way of thinking to make speculation without having information.
However, public opinion polls show many Argentines suspect officials had some hand in the death. Aides to President Cristina Fernandez suggested he was killed as part of a plot to destabilize and bring down the government.
When probed about USs offer to help with the investigation, Timerman said he had heard of no such suggestion or offer from anyone in the United States.
There is a problem sometimes with the United States. The United States thinks they can have a solution to every problem in every country of the world. Its something, I dont know why Americans think that you have the people to solve every problem. I dont believe that. But so far, I didnt receive any offer from the FBI. I dont believe that the FBI has the key to solve every problem all over the world.
SEE ALSO: Argentine Jews seeking justice from Iran over 1994 bombing
Timerman said neither he nor Fernández had anything to gain from Nismans death, because Nisman would have appeared before Argentinas National Congress, where tough questions might have been lodged about his claims and possible doubt cast into the mix.
Who gained by having Mr. Nisman dead? he asked. Not me. Not the president.
