Seven people under investigation over the death of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona last November face charges of premeditated murder, according to AFP.
The news agency, citing a judicial source, said the accused, including members of Maradona's medical team, face eight to 25 years in prison if found guilty.
The indictment is based on findings by a board of experts into Maradona's death from a heart attack last year, a source from the San Isidro Attorney General's Office, which is leading the investigation, AFP reported.
The Napoli and Argentina legend died of a heart attack at a rented home in Buenos Aires on November 25, 2020 age 60, weeks after undergoing brain surgery on a blood clot.
The report concluded that Maradona received "inadequate" medical care and was left to his fate for a "prolonged, agonising period" before his death, which came just weeks after undergoing brain surgery on a blood clot.
"After so many injustices, the case has come full circle," the source told AFP.
The accused are prohibited from leaving the country and must appear ahead of an inquiry between May 31 and June 14.
Prosecutors believe Maradona's death was not the result of malpractice or negligent actions of his doctors, but that they knew he would die and did nothing to prevent it.
The prosecutors obtained a series of messages and audio that show that the medical team were aware that Maradona was using alcohol, psychiatric medication and marijuana in the last months of his life.
-
WINTERVELDT, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 19: In this handout photo provided by 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa, Argentina national soccer team's head coach Diego Maradona is greeted by schoolchildren during his visit to Kgotlelelang School at Winterveldt on January 19, 2010, around 40km north west of Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa via Getty Images) -
(FILE) This 1981 picture shoes Argentine soccer star Diego Armando Maradona, being carried by fans after winning the 1981 local Championship with Boca Juniors at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires. Boca Juniors, the most popular football club in Argentina, celebrates on April 3rd, 2005, its centenary - from its creation by a group of football enthusiast in a humble neighbourhood of immigrants, until reaching the world's summit, and counting among its supporters with the most famous fan, Diego Armando Maradona. AFP PHOTO/DIARIO POPULAR/NA ARGENTINA OUT (Photo by DIARIO POPULAR / NA / AFP) -
Diego Maradona Argentina Stock Mandatory Credit : Action Images -
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Diego Maradona legend of football during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on October 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) -
Argentine football legend Diego Maradona shaking hands with his doctor Leopoldo Luque in Olivos, Buenos Aires, shortly before leaving hospital after brain surgery. AFP -
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Superliga - Boca Juniors v Gimnasia y Esgrima - Alberto J. Armando Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina - March 7, 2020 Gimnasia y Esgrima coach Diego Maradona before the match REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo -
Diego Maradona Argentina Stock World Cup USA 94 Mandatory Credit : Action Images /Pic:Tony Henshaw -
Italy v Argentina World Cup Italia 90 Semi-Final Mandatory Credit : Action Images Diego Maradona celebrates Argentina's goal -
Maradona backstage with Queen on The Game Tour in Buenos Aires, 1982. Wikimedia Commons -
(FILES) In this file picture taken on June 16, 2018 Argentina's football legend Diego Maradona smokes a cigare as he attends the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Argentina and Iceland at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow. Argentine football legend Diego Maradona turns 60 on October 30, 2020. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS / AFP / Juan Mabromata / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS -
Argentina's National Football team coach Diego Maradona (L) embraces his father Diego at the end of a training session in Buenos Aires on September 3, 2009. Argentina faces Brazil for a FIFA South Africa World Cup-2010 qualifier football match in Rosario on September 5. AFP PHOTO / Juan Mabromata (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP) -
Argentina's football legend Diego Maradona runs as he plays against his compatriot tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro during a show following Del Potro's victory against India's Somdev Devvarman during the ATP Dubai Open tennis tournament in the Gulf emirate on February 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO/MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo by MARWAN NAAMANI / AFP) -
Raffaele Di Fusco,Massimo Crippa, Diego Armando Maradona, Francesco Romano and Giuliano Giuliani of SSC Napoli celebrate his victory with the trophy during the UEFA Cup Final Second Leg match between Stuttgart and Napoli, at Neckarstadion, Stuttgart, Germany on May 17th 1989 (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) -
A relaxed Diego Maradona (l) has a drinkNo Use UK. No Use Ireland. No Use Belgium. No Use France. No Use Germany. No Use Japan. No Use China. No Use Norway. No Use Sweden. No Use Denmark. No Use Holland -
Picture showing Argentinian soccer player Diego Maradona wearing the color of FC Barcelone, during a friendship match against Paris Saint Germain,13 November 1982, in Paris. (Photo by JOEL ROBINE / AFP) -
1970: A young Diego Maradona (centre) of Argentina relaxing with his family on a beach. \ Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport -
(FILES) In this file picture taken on December 1, 2017 Argentina's former footballer Diego Maradona poses on stage ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup football tournament final draw at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow. Argentine football legend Diego Maradona turns 60 on October 30, 2020. / AFP / Alexander NEMENOV -
Argentine football legend Diego Maradona (C) gestures with officials of the United Arab Emirates al-Wasel football club following a press conference in Dubai, June 04, 2011. Maradona was introduced as the new coach of the al-Wasel club for the next two years. AFP PHOTO/MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo by MARWAN NAAMANI / AFP) -
TOKYO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 07: Argentina captain Diego Maradona celebrates on the shoulders of team mates after they had beaten Russia 3-1 to win the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championships at the National Olympic Stadium on September 7, 1979 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)
The board concluded that "the signs of life risk" shown by the former Barcelona and Napoli star were ignored, and that his care in his final weeks was "plagued by deficiencies and irregularities".
The recriminations and accusations over Maradona's death are taking place alongside another case, over his disputed inheritance, involving his five children, his brothers and Matias Morla, his former lawyer.
Maradona had battled cocaine and alcohol addictions during his life. He was suffering from liver, kidney and cardiovascular disorders when he died.
He was idolised by millions of Argentines after he inspired the South American country to their second World Cup triumph in 1986.
