BUENOS AIRES — The intrigue that has gripped Argentina since the mysterious death of President Cristina Fernandez’s nemesis took another critical twist Thursday when investigators called one of the country’s most enigmatic spy chiefs to testify before them.
The testimony by Antonio Stiuso could be key to determining whether Fernandez is able to survive the storm in the waning months of her presidency or whether the deepening scandal will swamp her administration.
Stiuso, a shadowy intelligence agent known by the name ‘‘Jaime,’’ had assisted prosecutor Alberto Nisman in his investigation of the unsolved bombing of a Buenos Aires Jewish community center in 1994. A report Nisman submitted to a federal judge in January accused Fernandez of agreeing to shield the alleged masterminds of the attack, former Iranian officials, in exchange for oil and other trade benefits.
But Nisman was found dead from a gunshot wound to his head in his apartment on Jan. 18, hours before he was to appear in Congress to detail his allegations. Without naming Stiuso specifically, Fernandez has suggested rogue intelligence agents played a role in the death and, last week, she urged Congress to disband the agency.
Stiuso, who press reports say ran a vast wire-tapping operation, is said to have been one of the most powerful people in the country, a figure similar to the controversial former head of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover.
Officials, however, have yet to locate Stiuso. His lawyer told Radio Vorterix Thursday that Stiuso had yet to receive a summons but would appear when he is formally called.