Seven medical professionals in Argentina have been charged with homicide over the death of soccer legend Diego Maradona.
The Argentine great died from heart failure in November 2020, the same month he underwent successful surgery for a subdural hematoma, more commonly known as a blood clot on the brain.
A damning investigation into his death was passed onto prosecutors earlier this month who have now requested that those accused are not permitted to leave the country.
Following the investigation, prosecutors say that Maradona’s medical team “violated the duties that each one was in charge of,” which subsequently “led to the fatal outcome of the patient that, otherwise, could have been avoided,” according to court documents.
Neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov are among those charged after being criticized previously by medical investigators.
In November, Luque told prosecutors about his professional relationship with Maradona. “There is nothing to suggest I was negligent,” he said.
In December, Cosachov’s lawyer told CNN that his client “had used her best judgment from a medical point of view.”
CNN was not immediately able to reach representatives of Cosachov and Luque and the other individuals charged.
The accused will begin to testify from May 31 and could face between eight to 25 years in prison if convicted.
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