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Seven charged with homicide in Diego Maradona's death
Diego Armando Maradona (C) Head Coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima looks on prior to a match. Photo by Gustavo Garello/Jam Media/Getty Images

Seven charged with homicide in Diego Maradona's death

Seven medical professionals have been charged with "simple homicide with eventual intent" in Diego Maradona's death last year.

The Argentinian soccer legend passed away in November due to heart failure just weeks after he underwent brain surgery. He was 60 when he died.

Leopoldo Luque, the neurosurgeon who performed the procedure on Maradona, is one of the seven medical professionals who were charged, along with his psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov. Both have denied any wrongdoing in Maradona's death. Two nurses, a nurse coordinator, a doctor and a psychologist have also been charged.

The prosecutors' office in San Isidro, Argentina appointed a medical board to determine if there was any evidence of culpable homicide and the board determined that the medical team behaved in an "inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner." After the chargers were filed, the prosecutors' office requested the seven would not be permitted to leave the country.

The autopsy revealed that Maradona died in his sleep because of congestive heart failure, which caused acute pulmonary edema, a buildup of fluid in the lungs. The toxicology report did not detect any alcohol or illegal substances, though drugs used to treat anxiety and depression were present.

The accused medical professionals will begin to testify on May 31.

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