New test reveals there were no traces of gun residue on Argentinian prosecutor's hands
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sara Garfunkel, center, mother of late prosecutor Alberto Nisman, leaves the prosecutor's office that leads the investigation of the mysterious death of her son, after giving her statement to authorities, in Buenos Aires, Argentina,Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015. Nismans mysterious death came as he was presenting allegations that Argentine President Cristina Fernandez had conspired to protect Iranian officials implicated in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in which 85 people died. Fernandez and Iran have denied the allegations. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
The confusion surrounding the mysterious death of Argentinian prosecutor Alberto Nisman continues to deepen as a second test released yesterday revealed that that no gunpowder was found on his hands – once again leading many to theorize that the 51-year-old lawyer could have been murdered to cover-up his knowledge of the 1994 bombing a Buenos Aires Jewish center.
Nisman was found shot to death in his bathroom on Jan. 18. The discovery came shortly before he was to appear in Congress to detail his allegations that President Cristina Fernández helped Iran cover up the bombing, which killed 85. Fernández and Iran deny the accusations.
Lead investigator Viviana Fein’s secretary, Bernardo Chirichella, traveled to Salta on Monday, where the test on Nisman’s hand was carried out. It found no gun residue on Nisman’s hands. Some have speculated that this fact can be explained because the .22-calibre Bersa pistol that killed the prosecutor was a small gun that sometimes does not leave traces of gunpowder.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The gunpowder announcement came on the same day that investigators announced they had found a second person's DNA in Nisman’s apartment and called in a witness to check for a match.
The statement released by the office of Judge Fabiana Palmaghini says she is calling in a person who visited Nisman the day before his body was found. She does not name him, but Nisman aide Diego Lagomarsino has acknowledged visiting Nisman on Jan. 17.
Investigators say they don't yet know if Nisman committed suicide or was killed.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Late in January, Fein said testing found traces of DNA only belonging to Nisman. She added that traces of DNA found on the pistol, its ammunition and other items from the scene "undoubtedly" matched that of Nisman.
She also said a security camera in the service elevator of his apartment building was not working and there were no cameras in its stairwell.
Supporters of Nisman have insisted the prosecutor would not have killed himself and even Fernández has said that, contrary to initial findings, his death could not have been a suicide.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nisman had feared for his safety and 10 federal police were assigned to protect him. The officers were suspended as part of the investigation but none have been named as suspects.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.