Argentina's Vice-President Amado Boudou (C) talks to social leaders Luis D'elia (L) and Edgardo Depetri inside Buenos Aires' Cathedral before the traditional Te Deum to commemorate the 204th anniversary of the May Revolution, May 25, 2014 (Photo: Reuters)
A federal judge in Argentina on Friday ordered Vice President Amado Boudou to appear in court to answer corruption charges, judicial sources said.
A former economy minister seen as a rising star and possible successor to President Christina Kirchner, Boudou has been under investigation since 2010.
Judge Ariel Lijo set a July 15 court date for Boudou, whose prosecution would be a first for a sitting Argentine vice president.
After hearing testimony from Boudou, Judge Lijo will make a ruling on whether to dismiss the case or pursue his prosecution.
Boudou is alleged to have intervened improperly while economy minister on behalf of a printing firm, Ciccone Calcografica SA.
He is alleged to have rescheduled the company's massive debt, allowing it to emerge from the brink of bankruptcy.
Boudou says he is innocent and that the allegations have been cooked up by his political enemies.
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