Prosecutors in Maradona death trial seek sentences up to 12 years

Argentine prosecutors have requested prison sentences of up to 12 years for seven medical professionals involved in the care of football legend Diego Maradona at the time of his death in November 2020. The prosecution argues that the chaotic organization of the medical team left Maradona in a helpless situation, accusing them of breaching their duties and performing actions contrary to their medical obligations.

The defendants, including Maradona's personal physician, Leopoldo Luque, deny the charges, claiming that his death could not have been foreseen and that they did their jobs. The medical team was accused of providing inadequate care due to the lack of essential medical equipment, such as a hospital bed, defibrillator, and ambulance.

The case has centered around whether Maradona's convalescence at home instead of in a hospital was negligent. Medical experts testified that Maradona's caregivers failed to respond to key warning signs in the days leading up to his death, including edema, tachycardia, and difficulty breathing. The prosecution presented shock images of Maradona lying dead in bed, his stomach grotesquely swollen, during the summation of arguments.

The case has seen previous delays due to revelations of a judge's involvement in a clandestine documentary about the case. The summation is expected to last around two weeks, with a verdict anticipated at a later date.