7 Suspects Face ‘Premeditated Murder’ Charge over Maradona's Death

Sports

May 22nd, 5:19am

Buenos Aires - London - Asharq Al-Awsat

Diego Maradona reacts during his first training session as coach of Dorados football club, in Culiacan, Mexico, Sept. 10, 2018. (Reuters Photo)

Seven people under investigation over the death of Argentine footballing legend Diego Maradona face charges of premeditated murder, AFP has learned from a judicial source. The accused -- which include Maradona's neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov and psychologist Carlos Diaz -- face eight to 25 years in prison if found guilty. The indictment is based on findings by a board of experts into Maradona's death from a heart attack last year, a source from the San Isidro Attorney General's Office, which is leading the investigation, said. That report, published on May 1, concluded that the footballing icon received inadequate medical care and was left to his fate for a "prolonged, agonizing period" before his death. According to the 70-page report, the board of experts assigned to investigate the star's last hours, found that Maradona's death "started at least 12 hours before the announced time," during which he endured "a prolonged, agonizing period" after undergoing brain surgery for a blood clot. "After so many injustices, the case has come full circle," the source said. The accused are prohibited from leaving the country and must appear ahead of an inquiry between May 31 and June 14. The legal proceedings were prompted by a complaint filed by two of Maradona's five daughters against Luque, who they blamed for their father's deteriorating condition. The prosecutors obtained a series of audio messages showing that the medical team was aware that Maradona was using alcohol, psychiatric medication and marijuana in the last months of his life. Among the conclusions of the report, the medical board said that "the signs of life risk" shown by the former Naples and Barcelona star were ignored, and that his care in his final weeks was "plagued by deficiencies and irregularities.” The recriminations and accusations over Maradona's death are taking place alongside another case, over his disputed inheritance, involving his five children, his brothers and Matias Morla, his former lawyer.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2985996/7-suspects-face-%E2%80%98premeditated-murder%E2%80%99-charge-over-maradonas-death