Argentina: Former hockey coach Horacio Asensio ordered to remain in pretrial detention

A judge in Bahía Blanca has ordered pretrial detention for Horacio Norberto “Chacho” Asensio, a 59-year-old former hockey coach accused of repeated and serious sexual abuse against minors. The decision was made by Guarantee Judge Marisa Promé following a request from prosecutor Diego Torres.

The investigation focuses on incidents that allegedly occurred between 2012 and 2013 while Asensio was coaching at Club Deportivo Monte Hermoso. While the case initially involved reports from three former players who were adolescents at the time, recent testimonies from at least five women have described similar situations.

Asensio was arrested on September 20 at his residence in Mar del Plata. During his interrogation, he exercised his right to remain silent. His defense attorney, Maximiliano De Mira, had previously sought to have the charges dismissed on the grounds that the statute of limitations had expired, but Judge Promé rejected this argument. Asensio remains held at the Villa Floresta Penal Unit, though his defense has indicated they will seek house arrest as an alternative.