Fernando Madeo has insisted his client Braian Paiz, 24, has been the victim of a “witch hunt” as officials desperately try to find answers over the One Direction star’s death.
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Liam Payne, who died aged 31 in October 2024, pictured here in 2018Credit: AFP
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Braian Paiz pictured with Liam Payne before his death in Argentina
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Former hotel waiter Paiz has been charged in connection with Liam Payne’s death
Madeo claimed it is “impossible” that the charges put against his client will stick following the singer’s fatal balcony fall in Argentina in October.
The lawyer said: “They want to look for culprits at any price, violating constitutional rights and guarantees and forming a ’truth’ which turns out to false as is the case here.
“Accusing innocent people of crimes they haven’t committed.”
The waiter in Buenos Aires is accused of handing Liam cocaine on two separate occasions on October 14.
Paiz previously admitted to taking drugs with the star but insisted he was not a dealer.
Madeo also blasted recent stories which claimed Paiz has refused to testify in front of a judge as “fake”.
He insisted: “We presented a very long statement in which we addressed all the issues and the false accusations against Braian and we have explained everything from his point of view.”
Paiz was one of five men charged by a Buenos Aires judge last Friday following Liam’s death at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel on October 16.
He and 21-year-old Ezequiel David Pereyra have both been charged with supplying Liam with drugs in exchange for money.
Judge Laura Bruniard said in her ruling there was evidence pointing to both men selling the singer cocaine on two separate occasions.
Liam Payne’s heartbroken family ‘desperate for justice’ after four hotel workers and star’s pal are charged over his tragic death
They have both been warned they could face between four and 15 years if convicted.
The other three suspects, Liam’s close friend Roger Nores, chief hotel receptionist Esteban Grassi and the hotel’s head of security Gilda Martin, have all been charged with manslaughter.
They are facing between one and five years in prison if convicted.
Judge Bruniard said moving Liam from the lobby to his third-floor room when he was clearly in a bad state “created a legally unacceptable risk to his life”.
The decision was reportedly taken by the hotel staff at the time.
Businessman pal Nores, 35, had been with Liam in the hotel but CCTV is said to show him leaving in the early hours of October 16.
Prosecutors claim it shows Nores “failed in his duty of care, assistance and help” to Liam – “knowing he couldn’t fend for himself”.
A toxicology report later revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant were found in Liam’s blood.
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Rogelio Nores, left, has denied abandoning former One Direction star Liam before his death
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The 31-year-old One Direction star plunged 30ft to his death from his hotel balcony in ArgentinaCredit: Reuters
Speaking to Argentine TV station America TV, Madeo said his client had arranged to meet up with Liam after speaking to him at the Buenos Aires restaurant where he worked.
Paiz was a “lifelong fan of One Direction” so wanted to hang out.
Madeo continued: “He was fond of Liam and liked him.
“He took advantage of the meeting he had with him in the restaurant where he worked and they exchanged messages.”
Paiz has always denied selling Liam any substances.
Mr Madeo said any suggestion otherwise is “absurd”.
“Under Argentine drug laws the free supply of drugs where money doesn’t change hands is on a much lower penal scale,” he continued.
“And there’s another possibility which is that where there’s an eventual supply which is occasional and intimate between two people without affecting third parties the penal scale diminishes considerably.”
Mr Madeo has previously been quoted as saying his client is a frequent drug user but he claimed Liam “sough out” Paiz.
It comes as the grieving Payne family say they are pleading for “justice” after the charges were brought.
A friend of the family told The Sun: “It’s been a very difficult Christmas for them but they now just want justice for their son.
“Finally, after a horrific couple of months, there is a feeling like this could be possible.”
Liam had been in the South American country with girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25.
She returned to the US three days before Liam died.
It is claimed he then turned to drink and drugs and had been involved in a series of arguments.
In the days after the horror, Liam’s heartbroken father Geoff, 66, visited the hotel.
He saw flowers and tributes left by fans, and remained in the country until he was able to repatriate his son’s body last month.
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The CasaSur hotel in Palermo where Liam was staying when he died
