Jornal Do Brasilia - Closing arguments begin in Maradona death trial

Seven medical professionals have been on trial since April over Maradona's death in 2020 while convalescing after surgery.

The star of the 1986 World Cup died of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema -- a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs -- at a rented home in the Buenos Aires suburb of Tigre two weeks after undergoing surgery for a brain clot.

The larger-than-life star, who had a history of substance abuse, was 60 at the time of his death.

His medical team is accused of providing grossly inadequate care in the lead-up to his death.

They are charged with "dolo eventual" -- a legal term meaning that a person is aware that their actions could cause harm but persisted nonetheless.

In his closing arguments, prosecutor Patricio Ferrai said that defendants' "chaotic organization" left the ailing player "in a helpless situation, abandoning him to his fate."

He accused them of having "breached their duties, performed actions contrary to the art of healing" and having "omitted all the acts they were required to perform."

The accused face of up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

Maradona's daughters were present in court on Thursday for the summation.

The first trial over his death was dramatically annulled last year after two-and-a-half months of hearings, following revelations that one of the judges took part in a clandestine documentary about the case.

M. dos Santos--JDB