Argentina’s president says he was next target for assassination
September 13, 2022, 1:00 pm

Argentina’s president says he was next target for assassination

Buenos Aires in Argentine - Photo. Pixabay

Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez said Monday that those behind the recent failed assassination attempt against Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner also wanted to kill him, according to the Anadolu Agency.

Fernandez told the Spanish TV channel Telecinco that he came to this conclusion after investigators obtained new information.

"The culprits’ conversations became known and they said that the next one is me," he said, referencing suspects Fernando Sabag Montiel and Brenda Uliarte, who have been indicted.

Investigators believe the couple planned and organized the attempted assassination of de Kirchner, although the charges may be revised as authorities continue their probe.

Fernandez added that he must be cautious regarding his personal security.

He said: “I have to be careful in case it happens to me, but I cannot separate myself from people.”

Presidential candidate Alberto Fernandez and running mate former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (not pictured) celebrate after election results in Buenos Aires, Argentina October 27, 2019. (Reuters)

"We have to be vigilant. What I don't want is for us to be separated from the people. That's not Argentina," he added, labelling the suspects "a gang of scoundrels."

Fernandez went on to say that de Kirchner is "fine" but confirmed that "it was a moment of shock for everyone," insisting that since the country’s return to democracy, there have been no political crimes of this nature.

Argentine: Attacker and his girlfriend ‘planned’ attempted hit on VP Cristina Kirchner

The Argentine leader described the image of a gun being pointed at the vice-president's head as "hard,” admitting there had been a failure in the security operations protecting her.

"The whole security system in these circumstances fails. That person (Sabag Montiel) knew that he was in the middle of a crowd that was going to cheer and accompany Cristina, and he knew that, whatever the result, he was going to be arrested by the people around him," he said.

The president also touched on the difficulty for authorities to foresee such events.

"When you are willing to risk your life or your freedom to achieve your objective, it is very difficult to predict” such an attack.

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But Fernandez also made it clear that he believes that Sabag Montiel, who appears to have far-right sympathies and tattoos relating to Nazism, is fully sane.

A video shared widely by local media on Sept. 11 showed Sabag Montiel handling the same Bersa gun used against de Kirchner.

Fernandez suggested during the program that society is not doing something well if such a "horrible idea enters a person's head.”

"He is not a Martian or a person outside our society. He lives among us. He is not a madman. He is a person with his full faculties."

Source: aa

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.