An Argentine court trying the medical team of the late football legend Diego Maradona has suspended proceedings for one week following concerns raised about a judge’s alleged involvement in a documentary on the case.
The suspension, granted at the request of the prosecution, came after defence lawyers complained that one of the presiding judges, Julieta Makintach, may have compromised her impartiality.
Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari explained that the trial was paused “to resolve an issue… of institutional gravity.”
Defence lawyers had previously called for Judge Makintach to be recused from the case, which has now been running for two months.
Maradona passed away on 25 November 2020 at the age of 60, while recovering at home following surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain.
He died from heart failure and acute pulmonary oedema two weeks after the operation.
Seven members of his medical team are on trial over the circumstances of his post-operative care at a private residence in Tigre, a suburb of Buenos Aires.
Prosecutors allege that Maradona’s care in his final days amounted to gross negligence.
If found guilty of “homicide with possible intent” — a charge that implies proceeding with actions while being aware of the potential for fatal consequences — the defendants face prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years.