[WORLD NEWS ★★]
ARGENTINE PROSECUTOR ALBERTO NISMAN WAS MURDERED
(P1) The mysterious 2015 death of SPECIAL PROSECUTOR Alberto Nisman continues to rock the nation of Argentina.
(P2) Ricardo Sáenz presented a statement to Buenos Aires’ Criminal Appeals Court saying that Alberto Nisman, the Special Prosecutor of the AMIA (Argentine Israelite Mutual Association) bombing in Buenos Aires, was “the VICTIM of HOMICIDE.”
(P3) On January 14, 2015, Nisman accused Argentina’s President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and other government officials of COVERING UP Iran’s role in the 1994 car bombing at the AMIA Jewish center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people and injured hundreds. Days later, Nisman was found dead in his apartment from a gunshot wound to the head, just hours before a scheduled appearance he was supposed to make to the Argentine Congress to discuss his accusations.
(P4) The original investigation into the AMIA bombing was badly MISHANDLED and EVENTUALLY passed to Nisman, who was chosen as a Special Prosecutor in 2004.
(P5) Saenz’s statement marks the first time that a court official has formally agreed with the claims of FOUL PLAY concerning Nisman’s death.
(P6) “I agree with the HYPOTHESIS that Alberto Nisman was the victim of homicide,” Sáenz said in a statement presented to the court. The legal case was filed by Nisman’s daughters, his mother, and his sister, who have VIGOROUSLY opposed the idea that Nisman committed SUICIDE as initially reported.
(P7) “Nisman, far from being ANXIOUS or depressed, was satisfied, in good spirits, fully convinced of the RIGHTEOUSNESS of his actions, and was planning for the presentation he would make to Congress,” said Sáenz.
(P8) Sáenz OUTLINED the arguments and EVIDENCE supporting the hypothesis of murder, not suicide, and referred to the gun found in Nisman’s hand. “The weapon that caused Nisman’s death always leaves RESIDUE even 20 hours after being fired, and there was no evidence of residue found on the hands of the victim,” he said, “Hence, there is no doubt that it was not Alberto Nisman who fired the gun that killed him.”
(P9) He repeated many arguments made by Nisman’s family, including the fact that the apartment had been cleaned and therefore no FINGERPRINTS were found, and that Nisman’s personal computer and cellphone had been TAMPERED WITH.
(P10) Now, the Criminal Appeals Court must decide the future of the investigation of Nisman’s death.
(P11) Sáenz has mentioned being THREATENED for his own investigative work in this case: “They told me I’d END UP like Nisman.”
WORDS: 401
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- Why are there problems with the JUSTICE SYSTEMS in so many countries?
- Because he died in the fight for justice, Alberto Nisman has become a public hero in Argentina. Who are the heroes like that in your country?
- The Nisman story is exactly like a movie THRILLER (and will certainly be made into one). Do you enjoy that type of movie?
- Do you know any ATTORNEYS personally?
EXPRESSIONS TO PRACTICE:
What do the following expressions mean? Practice using each expression in a sentence; extra points if you can use it in conversation.
- Special prosecutor
- Cover up
- Foul play
- Tamper with
- End up
- Justice system
