Icardi under investigation for domestic violence in Buenos Aires, prohibited from contacting daughter
Argentine footballer Mauro Icardi has been accused of physical violence against his daughter, and police have searched his home in Nordelta. A court has banned him from contacting the child for 45 days.
Icardi reported for violence against daughter, court bans contact with child
Argentine footballer Mauro Icardi is under police investigation on suspicion of domestic violence, according to reports. His ex-wife Wanda Nara filed a complaint after their eleven-year-old daughter Francesca sent messages via WhatsApp stating that her father had hit her and that she was frightened. The incident occurred at a property in the gated community of Nordelta, approximately thirty kilometres from Buenos Aires.
Nara was recording a television programme when she received the messages, but immediately stopped work and went to her former husband's house accompanied by police. After her arrival at the luxury residence in the La Isla neighbourhood, a fierce argument broke out between the two ex-spouses on the street, prompting police officers to intervene. The girl left the house in tears and was handed over to her mother. Emergency medical services examined the child on site — no injuries requiring hospitalisation were found, but treatment was recommended due to knee pain.
According to sources close to the investigation, Icardi had allegedly previously removed the girl from school during an exam and later locked her in a room following the argument.
Prosecution launches proceedings, judge orders precautionary measures
Prosecutor Julio Petrucci has officially initiated criminal proceedings on suspicion of causing minor bodily injury and domestic violence. Argentine law for these offences provides for a prison sentence of between six months and two years. Judge Orlando Abel Díaz issued a precautionary measure prohibiting the footballer from approaching his daughter at less than three hundred metres for the next forty-five days. The ban covers the child's home and all places where the minor is located.
The court decision also prohibits any form of direct or indirect communication — personal, telephonic, textual, via social networks or through third parties. Icardi's lawyer Norberto Francisco Oneto requested release from custody, and the court granted the request on condition of a sworn guarantee. The former Inter and PSG player must appear in court within five days, otherwise this privilege ceases to apply.
Police search home, seize electronic devices
Following a court order, police conducted a detailed search of Icardi's home in Nordelta. The aim of the search was to locate electronic devices which the girl had used to send messages. Inspectors seized a MacBook laptop, an iPhone smartphone, the girl's school backpack and a River Plate club membership card. The confiscated items will be subjected to technical examination.
During the first police deployment on Friday, the footballer allegedly refused to cooperate and would not hand over the computer, resulting in a subsequent search warrant being issued. The defence team requested that the prosecution retain control of the devices until the conclusion of proceedings.
Defence contests search and denies charges
The footballer's defence has publicly criticised the manner in which the police operation was conducted. In a statement, they emphasised that the search was unnecessary and that the court could have simply requested voluntary surrender of the devices. The lawyers are convinced that data on the seized devices will show that events did not unfold as his ex-wife and the media have portrayed.
Icardi firmly rejected all accusations. Through his legal representatives, he stated that he never hit his daughter and that the allegations are completely unfounded. As a key argument, they cited the emergency medical report which, according to their claims, does not record physical injuries resulting from a blow. They also denied media rumours about an arrest warrant, emphasising that Icardi is cooperating properly with the court.
Protracted divorce conflict returns to the centre of attention
The defence team particularly condemned the involvement of minors in legal disputes between two adults. They expressed regret that the girls have once again been publicly exposed as part of the divorce conflict which has lasted two years and regularly attracts international media attention.
Icardi returned to Argentina after the expiry of his contract with Turkish Galatasaray, and is currently in a relationship with actress and singer China Suárez. The final outcome of the proceedings will depend on the results of technical examination of the confiscated devices.
Source: Večernji list