Julio Coria, the former bodyguard of the late football legend Diego Maradona, faced arrest Tuesday.
This occurred after he allegedly provided false testimony during the ongoing trial.
Seven health professionals stand accused of criminal negligence in Maradona’s final care.
An AFP reporter witnessed Coria being led away in handcuffs from the Buenos Aires courtroom.
The judge supported the prosecution’s assertion that Coria had lied while under oath.
Maradona passed away on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60.
He was recovering at home following brain surgery for a blood clot at the time.
The iconic player had also battled cocaine and alcohol addiction for many years.
Prosecutors have described the medical attention Maradona received in his last days as a “horror theater.”
His seven-person medical team is currently on trial for their alleged roles.
Maradona’s cause of death was heart failure and acute pulmonary edema.
This condition involves fluid accumulation in the lungs and occurred two weeks post-surgery.
Coria had testified that he did not communicate with Leopoldo Luque, Maradona’s personal physician and a defendant.
However, the investigation uncovered numerous text messages exchanged between them.
These communications took place both before and after Maradona’s death.
Coria was subsequently arrested and now faces charges of perjury.
The defendants in this high-profile case could face significant prison sentences if convicted.
They could receive between eight and 25 years for “homicide with possible intent.”
This charge implies they pursued a course of action knowing it could potentially lead to death.
The trial continues to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the football icon’s final days.
