Argentinian Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner survived an assassination attempt Thursday night, according to a statement by Argentina’s President, after a man pointed a gun at her head but it failed to go off.

President Alberto Fernández addressed the nation late Thursday and said that “Cristina is still alive because, for reasons that have not been confirmed technically, the weapon, which was loaded with five bullets, did not fire,” adding that “This is the most serious event since we recovered our democracy.”

Fernando Andres Sabag Montiel, 35, a Brazilian man living in Argentina, was arrested by the federal police in connection with the assassination attempt, Buenos Aires police reported.

Kirchner was a former president and a prominent leader in Argentina who served in the public sector for three decades. The former president and current Vice president has been taken to court for alleged corruption charges that had not been proven. However, it appears her leftist stance and policies have been enough of an accusation for various media outlets to sentence her already.

Kirchner’s supporters have gathered outside her Buenos Aires home since last week, occasionally clashing with the police.

According to camera evidence and investigators, just after 9 pm, as Kirchner exited her vehicle into a big gathering outside her home, a guy approached and brandished a revolver inches from her face. A clicking sound heard on CCTV footage indicates that the guy then attempted to pull the trigger. Mrs. Kirchner ducked, and the guy was dragged away.

According to Buenos Aires police, five individuals pursued a guy away from the scene and said he tried to assassinate Kirchner. The federal police subsequently seized Montiel and discovered a handgun near the scene.

Source: Agencies (edited by Al-Manar English Website)