Prosecutors in Maradona death trial seek sentences up to 12 years

Argentine prosecutors have argued that the chaotic medical team treating former football star Diego Maradona should face prison sentences up to 12 years following his death in November 2020. Seven medical professionals have been on trial since April over Maradona's demise at the age of 60. The star of the 1986 World Cup had a history of substance abuse and died of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema, a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs, two weeks after his surgery for a brain clot.

Prosecutors claim the defendants breached their duties, performed actions contrary to the art of healing and omitted all the acts they were required to perform. They are charged with dolo eventual, a legal term indicating a person is aware their actions could cause harm but persists nonetheless. The highest prison sentence sought was 12 years for Maradona's personal physician, Leopoldo Luque, with other sentences ranging from four to 10 years for other medical staff.

The health workers deny the charges, arguing Maradona's death could not have been foreseen and that they did their jobs. The trial centers around whether the doctors' decision to allow Maradona to convalesce at home, rather than in a hospital, was negligent. Shock images of Maradona's dead body were shown to the court, with his three daughters present. The expected summation will last around two weeks, with the verdict forthcoming at a later date.