The possibility of AMIA special prosecutor Alberto Nisman having committed suicide gained traction yesterday after new forensic tests revealed that the trajectory of the gunshot that entered the victim’s head was “compatible” with a self-inflicted wound.
The tests — ordered by prosecutor Viviana Fein, who leads the investigation — confirmed that the gunshot entered only two centimetres above Nisman’s right ear in a 30-degree ascending trajectory, leaving a six-millimetre diameter hole.
According to forensic experts, exams indicate that when the firearm was shot, the pistol was not touching Nisman’s temple.
The shot left what is known as a “tattoo” (generated by heat and deflagration) on the prosecutor’s skin but did not exit the head.
“The autopsy clearly reflects the location of the shot, there is nothing strange or questionable about it, in terms of the forensic tests gathered and medical studies,” said Fein.
Meanwhile, well-known forensic expert Raúl Torre stressed that despite the latest information, evidence still wasn’t enough to determine if it was a suicide or a homicide.
Information about the autopsy conducted was released yesterday by the investigation team in order to avoid any confusion in the media, stated the press release.
Other tests being conducted are yet to be completed.
A microscopic electron scanning test on evidence samples taken began yesterday in Salta province and its results should be finished by tomorrow or this Thursday. While last Friday, a histopathological and toxicological test, and a DNA sample of Nisman’s nails were also conducted.
There is also cell phone, tablet and other evidence gathered from electronic devices which is still being examined by the Federal Police (PFA).
Stiuso-Nisman connection
Nisman is alleged to have called ex-spy Antonio “Jaime” Stiuso several times hours before he died, according to the news release issued by Fein’s investigation team.
“Several of the phone calls made from the Nextel phone line owned by Alberto Nisman, show that they were received by engineer Stiuso,” said Fein.
However, the prosecutor stressed that the phone call report only shows the entering and outgoing calls — not its content.
According to judicial sources, the content of those phone calls is what Stiuso will be asked to testify about under oath.
“I need to understand the relationship (Stiuso) had with Nisman and their last conversations, to see what happened in that context, what they said to each other, and all the requests that were made until the day of his unfortunate death,” Fein told La Red and Rivadavia radio stations. However, sources close to Stiuso have reportedly denied that these phone calls were made.
The prosecutor confirmed that Stiuso will give testimony in the next few days but she clarified that they still had to evaluate how it would be conducted to prevent the witness’s personal integrity from being violated.
Other witnesses were also scheduled to provide testimony today and tomorrow to advance the investigation, including the three bodyguards that had picked up the late prosecutor from Ezeiza international airport last January 12.
Fein on the defensive
After facing several criticisms — including from Nisman’s ex-wife federal judge Sandra Arroyo Salgado — on how she was handling the investigation, Fein defended herself yesterday claiming that “until today no-one has questioned absolutely anything.”
The prosecutor said that all the different parties in the case had the right to make observations.
“This is what freedom of expression is about,” Fein told Radio Rivadavia.
In an interview published by El Cronista newspaper yesterday, Arroyo Salgado criticized how many of the measures implemented by the investigation team were publicized to the media, worrying that it would end up distorting the case.
“We weren’t notified by many of the decisions made on these measures,” said the federal judge. Yet, she still recognized that it was still too early for her to discuss how the investigation process was evolving, highlighting that they didn’t want the investigation to fall apart, “We will not let that happen,” she concluded.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald