In a dramatic turn in the legal battle over the death of football icon Diego Maradona, an Argentine court has declared the ongoing trial against his medical team invalid, citing judicial misconduct.

The case—centered on allegations of medical malpractice and “simple homicide”—has been stalled after the controversial removal of Judge Julieta Makintach, one of three magistrates presiding over the trial. The dismissal was prompted by claims that Makintach compromised her neutrality by allowing a documentary crew to film court sessions.

The request for her removal was brought forward by one of the defendants, raising concerns about her impartiality. While Makintach denied any wrongdoing, stating, “My impartiality is not at stake,” she stepped down following the court’s ruling. The judge insisted that she only gave an interview and did not authorize in-session filming, a claim that remains under scrutiny.

As a result, the trial has been annulled, and proceedings must now begin again under a new judicial panel. There is currently no confirmed date for when the retrial will commence.

Cosme Iribarren, one of the lead prosecutors in the case, said the new court will reassess all evidence and restart hearings. “Each party will need to revise their arguments, and from there, the legal debate will begin anew,” he explained.

Fernando Burlando, a lawyer representing Maradona’s daughters, expressed hope for a faster resolution under the new panel. “Since everyone involved is already deeply familiar with the evidence, we could reach a verdict before year-end,” he told reporters outside the Buenos Aires courthouse.

Maradona’s daughter, Dalma, echoed the sentiment, saying, “The only thing we want is for the process to move forward.”

The Argentine football legend, who led his country to World Cup glory in 1986, passed away in November 2020 at the age of 60 due to heart failure, shortly after undergoing surgery for a subdural hematoma.

Prosecutors allege that eight members of Maradona’s medical team acted with criminal negligence during his home recovery, resulting in his death. Seven of the eight had already begun trial proceedings in March, while the eighth will face a separate jury trial. If convicted, the accused face prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years.


By WafricNews Desk.