Prosecutors seek up to 12 years in Maradona death trial

Argentine prosecutors have asked for prison sentences of up to 12 years for the seven medical professionals on trial over the death of football legend Diego Maradona. The request came on Thursday during closing arguments in the Maradona death trial, which has been running since April.

Maradona, the star of Argentina’s 1986 World Cup triumph, died on November 25, 2020 at the age of 60. He suffered heart failure and acute pulmonary edema while convalescing at a rented home in the Buenos Aires suburb of Tigre, two weeks after undergoing surgery for a brain clot.

What the prosecution argued

Prosecutor Patricio Ferrai told the court the defendants’ “chaotic organisation” had left the ailing patient “in a helpless situation, abandoning him to his fate.” He accused the medical team of having “breached their duties” and of omitting the care they were required to provide.

The seven defendants, who include Maradona’s personal physician, a psychiatrist, a psychologist and nurses, are charged with “dolo eventual”, a legal term for persisting in conduct while aware it could cause harm. They deny the charges.

The heaviest sentence sought was 12 years for Maradona’s personal physician, Leopoldo Luque. Terms of four to 10 years were requested for the other medical staff, including a psychiatrist, a nurse and coordinators.

A home without basic medical equipment

A central plank of the prosecution case is that the decision to let Maradona recover in a private home rather than a hospital was negligent. The court heard there was almost no medical equipment at the house: no hospital bed, no defibrillator and no ambulance on quick standby.

Medical experts testified that the carers failed to react to clear warning signs in the days before his death, including edema, tachycardia and difficulty breathing. Assistant prosecutor Cosme Iribarren said Maradona’s death “clearly did not come out of nowhere”, adding that the signs of the fatal outcome had appeared long beforehand.

The prosecution also showed the court images of the former footballer lying dead in bed. Maradona’s three daughters, who were present for the start of the summation, covered their faces to avoid seeing them.

Maradona death trial: why this is a retrial

This is the second trial over Maradona’s death. The first was dramatically annulled last year after two and a half months of hearings, when it emerged that one of the judges had taken part in a clandestine documentary about the case.

The health workers maintain that Maradona’s death could not have been foreseen and that they did their jobs. Each defendant has also played down their own individual responsibility for his care.

What happens next

The prosecution’s summation is expected to last around two weeks, after which the defence will present its case. A verdict will follow at a later date. If convicted, the defendants face some of the longest sentences ever sought in an Argentine medical negligence case.

Who is on trial over Maradona’s death?

Seven medical professionals, including his personal physician Leopoldo Luque, a psychiatrist, a psychologist and nurses. They deny the charges.

What sentences are prosecutors seeking?

Up to 12 years for Luque, and between four and 10 years for the other six defendants.

When did Maradona die?

He died on November 25, 2020, aged 60, two weeks after brain surgery, at a rented home in Tigre near Buenos Aires.

Why is this a retrial?

The first trial was annulled last year after a judge was found to have participated in a secret documentary about the proceedings.

Related: Cristiano Ronaldo pays tribute to Lionel Messi after Argentina farewell