Over four years after the death of football legend Diego Maradona, the seven healthcare professionals who treated him in his final moments are facing trial in an Argentine court.
Maradona had died on November 25, 2020 due to cardiac arrest. The healthcare professionals are being prosecuted in court for negligence that led to his death at his house outside Buenos Aires. The Associated Press reported that three judges will decide whether the seven people charged in the case — including a neurosurgeon, a psychiatrist and several medical staffers — are guilty of manslaughter. The seven on trial are facing a maximum jail time of 25 years if they’re sentenced.
The Argentine legend’s family attended the court proceedings with Maradona’s daughters, Dalma, Giannina and Jana being accompanied by Verónica Ojeda, who was former partner of the footballer. Verónica Ojeda also shared a clip featuring Maradona’s son Diego Fernando wearing a T-shirt with the face of the football star, and the word “justice” as the trial caught the attention of the football-mad country.
One of the key accused is neurosurgeon Leonardo Luque. Luque used to be the World Cup winner’s physician for the last four years of his life. Luque had notably performed a surgery to remove a blood clot from Maradona’s brain just weeks before his death.
Six other professionals are also on trial: Psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, who prescribed the medication that Maradona took until the time of his death; psychologist Carlos Díaz, Nancy Forlini, a coordinator of the medical company hired for the football legend’s care during his hospitalization, Mariano Perroni, a representative of the company that rendered nursing service, doctor Pedro Di Spagna, who monitored his treatment, and nurse Ricardo Almirón.
Nurse Gisela Madrid, who was also indicted, will be tried by a jury later this year.
(With inputs from AP)
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