Diego Zerda sentenced to prison for instigating suicide in Argentina

Diego Zerda, 34, has been sentenced to four years and six months of effective imprisonment for instigating the suicide of his former partner, Karla Robles, 27. The sentence, handed down by Judge Fanny Siriani, also found Zerda guilty of making threats against the victim's brother.

Following an investigation by the Specialized Homicide Unit I, the court determined that Zerda exploited Robles's vulnerability through systematic physical and psychological violence. Evidence presented during the trial showed that Zerda used threats of witchcraft and psychological manipulation to isolate Robles from her support network. The prosecution argued that the case must be viewed through a gender-based violence perspective, noting that Zerda exercised sustained dominance over the victim.

Key evidence included forensic digital reports from the Scientific Fiscal Investigation Team (ECIF) and testimonies from friends of the victim, which provided screenshots of messages Zerda had attempted to delete. While the prosecution had requested a six-year sentence, the judge considered Zerda's problematic substance consumption as a mitigating factor.