Gang that extorted soldier to suicide faces trial

A young Argentine soldier, Rodrigo Gómez, died by suicide after being extorted by a criminal group while on duty at the presidential residence in Olivos. The 21-year-old soldier was allegedly pressured by the gang to pay over a million pesos through various loans and requests to his comrades.

The extortionists, who were reportedly imprisoned at the time, threatened to expose Gómez's private life, leading him to believe he was dealing with law enforcement. He made several bank transfers totaling 1,413,000 pesos before taking his own life on December 16.

Prosecutors have now requested that seven members of the criminal organization face trial for instigating the suicide. The alleged leaders, Tomás Francavilla and Mauricio Duarte Areco, along with accomplice Kevin Sandoval, are accused of orchestrating the extortion scheme from their prison cells using cell phones.