Maradona death trial: psychiatrist defends medication given to the star | OneFootball

A defence witness has backed the medication Diego Maradona received during home care before his death in 2020, as Argentina's courts examine potential responsibility. According to L'Équipe, a psychiatrist called by the defence on Thursday endorsed the drug regimen used at the house. Seven healthcare professionals are on trial for potential fatal negligence.

Maradona died of cardiorespiratory arrest and pulmonary oedema while under home care, an arrangement now central to proceedings in San Isidro, north of Buenos Aires. The trial opened in April and moved into a new phase this week with the first defence witnesses.

Earlier, prosecution experts had questioned the psychotropics prescribed by psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov because of possible effects on liver, renal and cardiac functions. Psychiatrist Anibal Areco rejected that, telling the court the cause of death could not be determined but saying it was neither intoxication nor a medication-related problem.

He argued the prescriptions matched the clinical picture and that the doses given to Maradona do not cause cardiotoxicity. He also downplayed calls to hospitalise him against his will, saying there was no clear indication for it.

Prosecutors are contesting both the psychiatric treatment and Cosachov’s role in arranging the home hospitalisation in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, where Maradona died aged 60 on 25 November 2020. He had been transferred there three weeks earlier after surgery for a head haematoma.

The trial is expected to conclude by November. The defendants insist on their innocence and face up to 25 years in prison.

Source: L'Équipe

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