NEW YORK (Reuters) – Argentina is in contempt of court, a US judge ruled yesterday, the latest step in a years-old case brought by the US hedge funds over defaulted debt.
US Judge Thomas Griesa in New York held off on any decision on fines or sanctions against the South American country, which in July fell into its second sovereign default in 12 years and has long been at odds with Justice Griesa’s decisions and adopted a law aimed at evading them.
“The problem is that the Republic of Argentina has been and is now taking steps in an attempt to evade critical parts of the injunction,” Justice Griesa said during a hearing in his lower Manhattan courtroom.
Argentina defaulted in 2002 and missed a bond coupon payment in late July after Justice Griesa ruled it could not be made unless the country also paid more than $1.3 billion a group of U.S. funds that rejected previous bond restructurings and are demanding full repayment.
Argentina said earlier yesterday that a contempt order from Justice Griesa would violate international law.
