Murder of Fernando Báez Sosa

Fernando José Báez Sosa was born in Buenos Aires on 2 March 2001, the only son of Silvino Báez, a doorman, and Graciela Sosa, a hospice worker, both Paraguayan immigrants from Carapeguá.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.com.py/nacionales/2020/01/23/piden-justicia-para-el-joven-asesinado-por-rugbistas-en-argentina/|website=abc.com.py|title=Piden justicia para el joven asesinado por rugbistas en Argentina|date=23 January 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.clarin.com/policiales/fernando-baez-sosa-hijo-unico-luchaba-suenos_0_SE7B6kj2jh.html|work=Clarín|title=Fernando Báez Sosa, el hijo único que luchaba por sus sueños y los de los demás|date=2 January 2023|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}} Fernando lived with his parents in the Recoleta neighbourhood of Buenos Aires. He attended the Marianistas de Caballito high school on a scholarship, as the family was unable to pay for the private school's expenses. Upon graduating from high school, Báez Sosa enrolled at the University of Buenos Aires to study law.{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2020/01/19/el-dolor-de-los-amigos-en-el-velatorio-del-joven-asesinado-por-rugbiers-y-la-historia-del-aniversario-que-nunca-se-llego-a-celebrar/|work=Infobae|title=El dolor de los amigos en el velatorio del joven asesinado por rugbiers y la historia del aniversario que nunca se llegó a celebrar|last=Cavanna|first=Joaquín|date=19 January 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}

Báez Sosa was in a relationship with a fellow law student, Julieta Rossi.{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/2020/02/14/estuvieron-juntos-diez-meses-y-el-fue-su-primer-novio-la-historia-de-amor-de-julieta-rossi-y-fernando-baez-sosa/|work=Infobae|title=Estuvieron juntos diez meses y él fue su primer novio: la historia de amor de Julieta Rossi y Fernando Báez Sosa|last=Illbele|first=Florencia|date=14 February 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}} After his death, his wake was held at his former high school and his remains were later interred at Chacarita Cemetery.{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/2020/01/20/realizan-una-misa-en-el-colegio-de-fernando-baez-sosa-y-luego-trasladaran-sus-restos-al-cementerio-de-la-chacarita/|work=Infobae|title=Despiden los restos de Fernando Báez Sosa en el cementerio de la Chacarita|date=20 January 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}

Eight people were convicted of Báez Sosa's murder: Matías Franco Benicelli (aged 20 at the time of the murder), Ciro Pertossi (aged 19), Luciano Pertossi (aged 18), Lucas Fidel Pertossi (aged 20), Máximo Pablo Thomsen (aged 20), Enzo Tomás Comelli (aged 19), Blas Cinalli (aged 18) and Ayrton Michael Viollaz (aged 20).{{cite news|url=https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202002/433203-rugbiers-crimen-fernando-baez-sosa-villa-gesell-quien-es-quien.html|archivedate=2023-01-09|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20230109215021/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202002/433203-rugbiers-crimen-fernando-baez-sosa-villa-gesell-quien-es-quien.html|work=Télam|title=Uno por uno, quienes son los rugbiers imputados por el crimen|date=20 February 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/seguridad/caso-baez-sosa-que-hizo-que-rol-nid2512788/|work=La Nación|title=Caso Báez Sosa. Qué rol tuvo cada uno de los rugbiers acusados por el asesinato|date=17 November 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}} Ciro and Luciano are brothers, Lucas is their cousin.{{cite news|url=https://www.pronto.com.ar/articulo/famosos/quien-es-pertossi-cumple-condena-robo-arma-fuego/20200205112505349779.html|work=Pronto|title=¿Quién es el otro Pertossi que cumple una condena por robo con arma de fuego?|date=5 February 2020|access-date=14 January 2023|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220051320/https://www.pronto.com.ar/articulo/famosos/quien-es-pertossi-cumple-condena-robo-arma-fuego/20200205112505349779.html|archive-date=20 February 2020}}

The eight were collectively dubbed by Argentine media as "the rugbiers", as nearly all of them played rugby union in the same club, Club Náutico Arsenal Zárate, in Zárate, Buenos Aires.{{cite news|url=https://www.lagaceta.com.ar/nota/832235/actualidad/club-rugby-zarate-aclaro-solo-cuatro-acusados-son-socios-sanciono.html|work=La Gaceta|title=El club de rugby de Zárate aclaró que sólo cuatro de los acusados son socios, y los sancionó|date=21 January 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2020/02/19/crimen-de-los-rugbiers-thomsen-y-ciro-pertossi-los-mas-complicados-en-la-causa-rompieron-el-silencio/|work=Infobae|title=Crimen de los rugbiers: Thomsen y Ciro Pertossi, los más complicados en la causa, rompieron el silencio|date=19 February 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/sociedad/zarate-vecino-dos-acusados-dejo-club-porque-nid2326468/|work=La Nación|title=Zárate: un vecino de dos acusados dejó el club porque eligió evitar una golpiza|date=22 January 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|last=Costa|first=José María|language=es}} Thomsen, dubbed as the group's "leader", was particularly gifted at the sport and played for Club Atlético San Isidro since 2017; local media had highlighted Thomsen's performance at the club and suggested he could one day play for the national team.{{cite news|url=http://area18.com.ar/maximo-thomsen-con-futuro-puma/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023174424/http://area18.com.ar/maximo-thomsen-con-futuro-puma/|work=Area18|title=Máximo Thomsen con futuro Puma|date=14 December 2016|archive-date=23 October 2019|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}

Another three members group, Juan Pedro Guarino (aged 19), Alejo Milanesi (aged 20), and a (previously unnamed) eleventh youth, have not been presented with charges by the prosecutor's office as of January 2023 due to lack of evidence that could implicate them in the attack.{{cite news|url=https://www.bigbangnews.com/policiales/hablo-la-familia-del-rugbier-numero-11-por-que-no-hablo-ni-con-ellos-y-el-vinculo-con-los-imputados-202021910350|work=Big Bang News|title=Habló la familia del "rugbier número 11": qué dijo del crimen y el vínculo con los imputados|date=19 February 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.eltrecetv.com.ar/videos/telenoche/juan-pedro-guarino-tendria-un-mensaje-clave-a-su-favor-pero-eligio-no-declarar-esta_125842|work=El Trece|title=Juan Pedro Guarino tendría un mensaje clave a su favor, pero eligió no declarar: "Está influenciado por el abogado"|date=20 February 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.perfil.com/noticias/sociedad/crimen-fernando-baez-sosa-que-es-vida-dos-rugbiers-fueron-sobreseidos.phtml|work=Perfil|title=Crimen de Fernando Báez Sosa: qué es de la vida de los dos rugbiers que fueron sobreseídos|date=5 January 2023|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}} During the murder trial, the eleventh youth was identified as Tomás Collazo; his identity had been previously kept hidden as he had been 17 years old (and therefore, a minor) at the time of the attack.{{cite news|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/515412-juicio-por-el-crimen-de-fernando-baez-sosa-quien-es-tomas-co|work=Página 12|title=Tomás Collazo, el "rugbier 11": ¿que rol tuvo en el crimen de Fernando Baez Sosa?|date=13 January 2023|language=es}} Collazo, whom the rest of the group called by his nickname, "Pipo", was not staying at the same apartment as the rest of them in Villa Gesell.{{cite news|url=https://www.a24.com/policiales/quien-es-el-rugbier-11-el-joven-que-estuvo-presente-el-crimen-fernando-baez-sosa-pero-no-fue-acusado-n1071076|work=América 24|title=Quién es el "rugbier 11", el joven que estuvo presente durante el crimen de Fernando Báez Sosa pero no fue acusado|date=13 January 2023|access-date=14 January 2023|language=es}}

Báez Sosa arrived at Villa Gesell, a popular summer destination in the Buenos Aires Atlantic coast, on Thursday, 16 January 2020. He intended to stay a few days in Villa Gesell with a group of high school friends and his girlfriend, Julieta. Báez Sosa's group stayed at the Hola Ola hostel on Paseo 105 and Avenida 5, in downtown Villa Gesell, where they intended to remain until 23 January.{{cite news|url=https://www.eldiarioar.com/sociedad/dudas-presencia-novia-hoy-declaran-amigos-fernando-baez-sosa-rugbiers-villa-gesell_1_9839321.html|work=ElDiario.ar|title=Día 2 del juicio: declaran los amigos de Fernando Báez Sosa que estuvieron la noche del crimen|last=De Masi|first=Victoria|date=3 January 2023|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.clarin.com/policiales/chico-murio-pelea-gesell-estudiaba-derecho-ido-fin-semana-ex-companeros-colegio_0_bq4naZwD.html|work=Clarín|title=El chico que murió en una pelea en Gesell: estudiaba Derecho y había ido por el fin de semana con sus ex compañeros de colegio|date=18 January 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}

On Saturday, 18 January, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Fernando and his friends arrived at Le Brique nightclub, on Avenida 3 and Calle 102. By 4:30 a.m. the venue was overcrowded, leading one of Fernando's friends to unwittingly bump against one of the attackers, which gave way to a verbal discussion between the two groups. The accused then incited the other group to fight, prompting the nightclub's security guards to expel the group, while Fernando and his friends left on their own.{{cite news|url=https://www.clarin.com/sociedad/crimen-villa-gesell-patovica-saco-rugbiers-boliche-dijo-maximo-thomsen-sacado-_0_V9BH2r3C.html|work=Clarín|title=Crimen de Villa Gesell: el patovica que sacó a los rugbiers del boliche dijo que Máximo Thomsen estaba "sacado"|date=9 February 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}

After leaving the club, Fernando stayed alongside seven other friends outside the venue having ice cream while they waited for the rest of the group to leave.{{cite news|url=https://www.clarin.com/sociedad/hablo-chica-vendio-helado-fernando-mataran-vi-tranquilo-ganas-pelear-_0_TRLXA9PS.html|work=Clarín|title=Habló la chica que le vendió un helado a Fernando antes de que lo mataran en Villa Gesell: "Lo vi tranquilo, sin ganas de pelear"|last=Villarreal|first=Guillermo|date=21 January 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}} At 4:44 a.m., two of the perpetrators (Enzo Comelli and Ciro Pertossi) attacked Fernando and his friends. It is believed that eight out of the ten took part in the beating. They targeted Fernando, punching and kicking him until he was left unconscious; he suffered blunt trauma to his head. The group also attacked Fernando's friends, and stopped them from getting near Fernando. Overall, the attack lasted less than a minute.{{cite web|url=http://www.saij.gob.ar/juzgado-garantias-nro-6-local-buenos-aires-pertossi-luciano-otros-homicidio-prision-preventiva-fa20010002-2020-02-14/123456789-200-0100-2ots-eupmocsollaf?|website=saij.gob.ar|title=Pertossi, Luciano y otros s/ homicidio - prisión preventiva|date=14 February 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}

According to the prosecutor in charge of the subsequent case, there was a premeditated co-operation to arrange the attack: some members of the group attacked Fernando, while others stood in guard to stop anyone from getting close and intervene. Lucas Pertossi filmed part of the attack on his cellphone, until he stopped recording to partake in the beating. In the video recording, Thomsen can be heard yelling at Báez Sosa, telling him to "stand up and fight". Another of the attackers, Benicelli, can be heard calling Báez Sosa a "{{lang|es|negro de mierda}}".{{cite news|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/seguridad/mientras-le-pegaban-matarlo-fernando-baez-sosa-nid2328187|work=La Nación|title=Mientras le pegaban hasta matarlo, a Fernando Báez Sosa le gritaban "negro de m..."|date=28 January 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|last=Palavecino|first=Darío|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.eldestapeweb.com/nota/la-frase-de-los-rugbiers-antes-de-matar-a-fernando-baez-sosa-en-villa-gesell-a-ver-si-nos-volves-a-pegar-negro-de-mierda--20201241920|work=El Destape|title=La frase de los rugbiers antes de matar a Fernando Báez Sosa en Villa Gesell: "A ver si nos volvés a pegar, negro de mierda"|date=24 January 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.clarin.com/sociedad/crimen-villa-gesell-frase-frase-testimonio-testigo-clave-vio-rugbiers-noche-tragica_0_U0WDQJYr.html|work=Clarín|title=Crimen de Villa Gesell: frase por frase, el relato del testigo clave que identificó a siete rugbiers en la noche trágica|date=28 January 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}

File:Avenida 3 y 105 Villa Gesell.jpg

After the beating, the attackers returned to their hostel. According to eyewitnesses (including a nearby hotel employee), the group was heard loudly boasting of the attack. The group tidied themselves up, removing all traces of blood on them and changing their clothes.{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2020/01/27/se-iban-riendo-que-hicieron-los-rugbiers-despues-de-matar-a-fernando-baez-sosa-segun-el-testimonio-de-la-testigo-que-permitio-encontrarlos/|work=Infobae|title="Se iban riendo": qué hicieron los rugbiers después de matar a Fernando Báez Sosa según el testimonio de la testigo que permitió encontrarlos|date=27 January 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}} By 5:30 a.m., some of the group's members of the group attended a local McDonald's near Le Brique.{{cite news|url=https://www.losandes.com.ar/article/view/?slug=pacto-de-silencio-y-mcdonalds-el-chat-de-whatsapp-de-los-rugbiers-tras-matar-a-fernando|title="Caducó": el chat de WhatsApp de los rugbiers tras matar a Fernando y el pacto de silencio|date=10 February 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|work=Los Andes|language=es}}

Media attention centered on the perceived lack of empathy from the culprits in the direct aftermath of the attack. A selfie showing eight of them smiling at the camera taken only 20 minutes after the beating was extensively shared on social media;{{cite news|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/248169-la-selfie-de-los-rugbiers-tras-matar-a-fernando-baez-sosa-so|work=Página 12|title=La selfie de los rugbiers tras matar a Fernando Báez Sosa: sonrientes y con pulgares arriba|date=19 February 2020|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}} as well as group chat conversations in which Lucas Pertossi referred to Báez Sosa as having "expired".

At 10:38 a.m., all 10 members of the offender group were detained by the Provincial Police.{{cite news|url=https://la100.cienradios.com/video-asi-comian-los-rugbiers-tranquilos-despues-de-matar-a-fernando-baez-sosa/|work=La 100|title=Video {{!}} Así comían los rugbiers tranquilos después de matar a Fernando Báez Sosa|date=10 February 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}

Upon being detained by the police, the wrongdoers refused to speak at the Villa Gesell prosecutor's office. Five of them were then moved to neighboring Pinamar, while the rest remained at Gesell. The prosecutor's office gathered evidence from security cameras, witnesses, and the group's rented apartment, where the blood-stained clothes were found. The transgressors' cellphones were also confiscated and sent to Mar del Plata for analysis, which led to the direct video recordings for the beating.{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2020/01/24/a-ver-si-nos-volves-a-pegar-negro-de-mierda-la-declaracion-del-testigo-clave-el-amigo-de-fernando-baez-sosa-que-tambien-fue-golpeado-por-los-rugbiers/|work=Infobae|title="A ver si nos volvés a pegar, negro de mierda": la declaración del testigo clave, el amigo de Fernando Báez Sosa que también fue golpeado por los rugbiers|date=24 January 2020|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2020/02/03/la-macabra-revelacion-de-la-pericia-a-los-celulares-de-los-rugbiers-uno-de-ellos-filmo-el-ataque-mortal-a-fernando-baez-sosa/|work=Infobae|title=La macabra revelación de la pericia a los celulares de los rugbiers: uno de ellos filmó el ataque mortal a Fernando Báez Sosa|date=3 February 2020|access-date=10 January 2023|last=Fahsbender|first=Federico|language=es}}

Báez Sosa's autopsy found he had succumbed to neurogenic shock, leading to internal bleeding from multiple hits. This made it difficult for the prosecutor's office to pinpoint whose specific hit provoked Báez Sosa's death.{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2020/01/20/la-autopsia-confirmo-que-fernando-baez-sosa-murio-por-un-golpe-muy-fuerte-en-la-cabeza/|work=Infobae|title=La autopsia confirmó que Fernando Báez Sosa murió por un golpe muy fuerte en la cabeza|date=20 January 2020|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}

Although the prosecutor's office initially pondered accusing the men of "group murder", as it was impossible to determine who delivered the final blow that killed Báez Sosa, the group was finally accused of "qualified premeditated homicide", the maximum sentence for which is life imprisonment.{{efn|"Life imprisonment" ({{langx|es|prisión perpetua}}) has a maximum duration of 35 years according to the Argentine Criminal Code.{{cite news|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/513226-reclusion-perpetua-en-argentina-cuantos-anos-son-y-en-que-de|work=Página 12|title=Reclusión perpetua en Argentina: cuántos años son y en qué delitos se aplica|date=5 January 2023|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}}} Two of them, Thomsen and Ciro Pertossi, were pointed out as co-perpetrators of the crime, while the remaining eight were accused of being "necessary participants". At that point, all ten were moved to Dolores Penitentiary.{{cite news|url=https://www.ambito.com/informacion-general/fernando-baez-sosa/trasladaron-al-penal-dolores-los-diez-rugbiers-acusados-el-crimen-fernando-n5079598|work=Ámbito Financiero|title=Trasladaron al penal de Dolores a los diez rugbiers acusados por el crimen de Fernando|date=29 January 2020|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}

On 10 February 2020, prosecutor Verónica Zamboni requested eight out of the ten men (Thomsen, Ciro Pertossi, Lucas Pertossi, Luciano Pertossi, Benicelli, Cinalli, Comelli and Viollaz) be held on remand, and asked for Milanesi (who had not been named by any witnesses during lineup) and Guarino (who had not taken part in the attack) to be released provisionally due to lack of evidence against them;{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2020/02/14/el-juez-firmo-la-prision-preventiva-y-los-rugbiers-acusados-de-matar-a-fernando-seguiran-en-la-carcel/|work=Infobae|title=El juez firmó la prisión preventiva y los rugbiers acusados de matar a Fernando seguirán en la cárcel|date=14 February 2020|access-date=10 January 2023|last=Fahsbender|first=Federico|language=es}} they remained implicated in the trial on other charges until 7 April 2021, when all charges were dropped.{{cite news|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/seguridad/sobreseen-a-alejo-milanesi-y-confirman-el-juicio-oral-de-los-otros-rugbiers-acusados-de-matar-a-nid07042021/|work=La Nación|title=Sobreseen a Alejo Milanesi y confirman el juicio oral de los otros rugbiers acusados de matar a Fernando Báez Sosa|date=7 April 2021|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}

The trial against Thomsen, Ciro Pertossi, Lucas Pertossi, Luciano Pertossi, Benicelli, Cinalli, Comelli and Viollaz began on 2 January 2023 at the Tribunal Criminal N°1 de Dolores. Báez Sosa's parents were represented pro bono by celebrity lawyer {{ill|Fernando Burlando|es}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.ambito.com/informacion-general/fernando-burlando/caso-baez-sosa-por-que-es-el-abogado-la-familia-la-victima-n5078454|work=Ámbito Financiero|title=Caso Báez Sosa: ¿Por qué Fernando Burlando es el abogado de la familia de la víctima?|date=23 January 2020|access-date=14 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.clarin.com/policiales/juicio-crimen-fernando-baez-sosa-fernando-burlando-gente-calle-peligro_3_M3toMUEzyw.html|work=Clarín|title=Juicio por el crimen de Fernando Báez Sosa. Fernando Burlando: "Esta gente en la calle es un peligro"|date=13 January 2023|access-date=14 January 2023|language=es}} 130 witnesses were expected to testify. Initially expected for 31 January 2023,{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2021/10/15/el-juicio-contra-los-rugbiers-acusados-de-matar-a-fernando-baez-sosa-ya-tiene-fecha/|work=Infobae|title=El juicio contra los rugbiers acusados de matar a Fernando Báez Sosa ya tiene fecha|date=15 October 2021|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://tn.com.ar/policiales/2023/01/02/el-juicio-por-el-crimen-de-fernando-baez-sosa-los-rugbiers-ya-estan-en-el-juzgado-para-escuchar-la-acusacion/|work=Todo Noticias|title=Terminó el primer día del juicio por el crimen de Báez Sosa: el desgarrador relato de sus padres|date=2 January 2023|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}} the verdict was announced on 6 February 2023.

After being detained by provincial police in the aftermath of Báez Sosa's murder, the accused pointed the blame for his death at Pablo Ventura, a 21-year old rower from Zárate and acquaintance of the group.{{cite news|url=https://www.gente.com.ar/actualidad/quien-es-pablo-ventura-el-remero-que-los-rugbiers-quisieron-implicar-en-el-asesinato-de-fernando-baez-sosa/|work=Gente|title=Quién es Pablo Ventura, el remero que los rugbiers quisieron implicar en el asesinato de Fernando Baéz Sosa|last=Oviedo|first=Sergio|date=22 January 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}} Ventura had spent time in Villa Gesell alongside his family that January, but the family had returned to Zárate before the attack took place.{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2020/01/21/la-pista-del-auto-que-quedo-registrado-volviendo-de-la-costa-y-podria-desmentir-al-ultimo-detenido-por-el-crimen-en-villa-gesell/|work=Infobae|title=La pista del auto que quedó registrado volviendo de la Costa y podría desmentir al último detenido por el crimen en Villa Gesell|date=21 January 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}} The prosecutor in charge of the case, Verónica Zamboni, immediately put the accusation in doubt. Despite this, Ventura was briefly detained by the police and held for questioning before being released, clear of all charges, on 5 February 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/245685-crimen-de-villa-gesell-fue-sobreseido-pablo-ventura|work=Página 12|title=Crimen de Villa Gesell: fue sobreseído Pablo Ventura|date=5 February 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}

Further inspection on the offenders' cellphones found memes and insults targeting Ventura, suggesting a prior animosity from the group toward him. The Ventura family has pressed charges against the group for libel.{{cite news|url=https://la100.cienradios.com/el-papa-de-pablo-ventura-demandara-a-los-rugbiers-que-implicaron-a-su-hijo-en-el-crimen-de-villa-gesell/|work=La 100|title=El papá de Pablo Ventura demandará a los rugbiers que implicaron a su hijo en el crimen de Villa Gesell|date=29 January 2020|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}

Báez Sosa's murder has been labeled as racist and classist attack by activists, scholars, and the Argentine government.{{cite web|url=https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/el-racismo-en-argentina-el-debate-pendiente-2-anos-sin-fernando|website=argentina.gob.ar|title=El racismo en Argentina, el debate pendiente a 2 años sin Fernando|publisher=INADI|last=Donda|first=Victoria|author-link=Victoria Donda|date=18 January 2022|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cels.org.ar/web/2023/01/el-crimen-de-fernando-baez-sosa-el-estado-no-puede-ser-espectador-de-practicas-racistas/|work=Center for Legal and Social Studies|title=El crimen de Fernando Báez Sosa: el estado no puede ser espectador de prácticas racistas|date=6 January 2023|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rionegro.com.ar/sociedad/enterate-por-que-el-caso-de-fernando-baez-sosa-lo-califican-como-crimen-racial-2689113/|work=Diario Río Negro|title=Enterate por qué el caso de Fernando Báez Sosa lo califican como crimen racial|date=10 January 2023|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}} In particular, Benicelli's use of the term "negro de mierda"—the meaning of which is complex and reflects various social dimensions—has been highlighted as evidence of the social prejudice behind the group's attack against Báez Sosa.{{cite news|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/512994-fernando-baez-es-un-crimen-racial|work=Página 12|title=Fernando Báez: "Es un crimen racial"|date=4 January 2023|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}

Báez Sosa's murder was not the first instance of rugby players and rugby culture being associated to violence in Argentina. Other prominent cases such as the murder of Ariel Malvino in 2006 and the homophobic hate crime against Jonathan Castellari in 2018 — both perpetrated by rugby players both professional and amateur — have been highlighted by Argentine media as examples of the "violent" nature of the country's rugby culture.{{cite news|url=https://www.clarin.com/sociedad/dieron-paliza-rugbier-homosexual-justicia-considero-agravante_0_iFZMLBc9D.html|work=Clarín|title=Le dieron una paliza a un rugbier por homosexual y la Justicia lo consideró un agravante|date=21 November 2018|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.anred.org/2020/12/02/la-ovalada-se-mancha/|work=ANRED|title=¿La ovalada se mancha?|date=2 December 2020|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}

The verdict reached in the case (dubbed Cause N° 629, "Thomsen and others") by the Tribunal Criminal N°1 de Dolores was announced on 6 February 2023. All eight were declared guilty of homicide, "doubly-aggravated" by premeditation and ambush. Five of the murderers (Máximo Thomsen, Ciro Pertossi, Luciano Pertossi, Matías Benicelli, and Enzo Comelli) were declared "co-perpetrators" and sentenced to life imprisonment; the remaining three (Lucas Pertossi, Blas Cinalli and Ayrton Viollaz) were declared "secondary participants" and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Thomsen fainted upon during the verdict reading, and the hearing had to be momentarily interrupted.{{cite news|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/sociedad/el-crimen-de-fernando-baez-sosa-maximo-thomsen-se-desmayo-tras-escuchar-el-veredicto-nid06022023/|work=La Nación|title=El crimen de Fernando Báez Sosa: Máximo Thomsen se desmayó tras escuchar el veredicto|date=6 February 2023|access-date=6 February 2023|language=es}}

The verdict was widely followed by mainstream media, and the courtroom livestream on YouTube reached a peak of 95 thousand viewers.{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2023/02/06/condenaron-a-los-rugbiers-acusados-de-matar-a-fernando-baez-sosa/|work=Infobae|title=Asesinato de Fernando Báez Sosa: condenaron a cinco de los rugbiers a perpetua y a los otros tres a 15 años de prisión|last=Illbele|first=Florencia|date=6 February 2023|access-date=6 February 2023|language=es}}

Attorney Burlando and Báez Sosa's parents all manifested their dissatisfaction with the sentences, arguing Lucas Pertossi, Cinalli and Viollaz also deserved to be sentenced to life imprisonment.{{cite news|url=https://www.clarin.com/sociedad/fernando-burlando-veredicto-crimen-fernando-baez-sosa-justicia-debil-contemplativa-justicia-_0_xPPRmZWTSx.html|title=Fernando Burlando tras el veredicto por el crimen de Fernando Báez Sosa: "La Justicia débil y contemplativa no es Justicia"|work=Clarín|date=6 February 2023|access-date=6 February 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.clarin.com/policiales/reaccion-madre-fernando-baez-sosa-condena-rugbiers-siento-paz-_0_qxjHcbaTiK.html|work=Clarín|title=La reacción de los padres de Fernando Báez Sosa tras la condena a los rugbiers: "Queremos perpetua para todos"|date=6 February 2023|access-date=6 February 2023|language=es}}

The crime drew widespread outrage and condemnation across diverse sectors of Argentine society.{{cite news|url=https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2020/01/20/conmocion-en-argentina-por-la-muerte-de-un-joven-a-manos-de-un-grupo-de-rugbiers/|work=CNN en Español|title=Conmoción en Argentina por la muerte de un joven a manos de un grupo de rugbiers|last=Pérez Sarmenti|first=Iván|date=20 January 2020|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}} Argentine media dedicated a considerable amount of attention to the case throughout January and February 2020. Paraguayan media also made echo of the case, given Báez Sosa's background. The extensive footage of the fight at the club, both groups of youths being escorted out of the club by security, and the subsequent beating made readily available on social media helped the case gain notoriety as well.{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2020/01/18/video-los-momentos-finales-de-la-pelea-que-termino-con-un-joven-de-19-anos-muerto-a-la-salida-de-un-boliche-de-villa-gesell/|work=Infobae|title=Video: los momentos finales de la agresión que terminó con un joven de 18 años muerto a la salida de un boliche de Villa Gesell|date=18 January 2020|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.clarin.com/sociedad/crimen-villa-gesell-verano-violencia-espectaculo-invadio-redes-sociales_0_BR6wITJM.html|work=Clarín|title=El crimen de Villa Gesell: el verano en que la violencia como espectáculo invadió las redes sociales|last=Bazán|first=Jazmín|date=1 February 2020|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}

Báez Sosa's parents received messages of condolences from Pope Francis and President of Argentina Alberto Fernández, among others.{{cite news|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/245447-el-papa-hablo-con-los-padres-de-fernando-baez-sosa|work=Página 12|title=El Papa habló con los padres de Fernando Báez Sosa|date=3 February 2020|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202101/541606-alberto-fernandez-recibio-a-los-padres-de-fernando-baez-sosa.html|archivedate=2023-01-10|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20230110050809/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202101/541606-alberto-fernandez-recibio-a-los-padres-de-fernando-baez-sosa.html|work=Télam|title=Alberto Fernández recibió a los padres de Fernando Báez Sosa|date=14 January 2021|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}} The Argentine Rugby Union, which governs that federated sport, issued a statement shortly after the murder manifesting its "regret" for Báez Sosa's "death";{{cite news|url=https://www.diariopopular.com.ar/policiales/la-uar-emitio-un-comunicado-el-asesinato-fernando-baez-manos-rugbiers-n453270|work=Diario Popular|title=La UAR emitió un comunicado tras el asesinato de Fernando Báez en manos de rugbiers|date=19 January 2020|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}} the nonspecific wording of the statement attracted considerable criticism on social media.{{cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/policiales/2020/01/20/repudio-en-las-redes-tras-el-comunicado-de-la-uar-no-fallecio-lo-asesinaron-miembros-de-su-union/|work=Infobae|title=Repudio en las redes tras el comunicado de la UAR: "No falleció, lo asesinaron miembros de su unión"|date=20 January 2020|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.perfil.com/noticias/policia/polemica-con-uar-union-argentina-rugby-al-hablar-de-fallecimiento-en-caso-fernando-baez-y-no-de-asesinato.phtml|work=Perfil|title=Polémica con la Unión Argentina de Rugby al hablar de "fallecimiento" en el caso Fernando y no de un asesinato|date=20 January 2020|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}} Former national rugby team captain Agustín Pichot (who also played for the same team as Thomsen) publicly apologized to Báez Sosa's parents in the name of the sport as a whole, stating that rugby culture had "naturalized violence".{{cite news|url=https://www.eldestapeweb.com/deportes/fernando-baez-sosa/la-revelacion-de-pichot-por-el-caso-baez-sosa-le-pedi-disculpas-al-papa-de-fernando--20231512170|work=El Destape|title=La revelación de Pichot por el caso Báez Sosa: "Le pedí disculpas al papá de Fernando"|date=5 January 2023|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}

Several public demonstrations have been held to demand justice for Báez Sosa's murder. On 18 February 2020, a month after the murder, Báez Sosa's parents called for a nationwide demonstration with its epicenter at the plaza by the Congressional Palace in Buenos Aires.{{cite news|url=https://www.ambito.com/informacion-general/fernando-baez-sosa/madre-lo-que-le-hicieron-mi-hijo-es-terrible-lo-mataron-traicion-n5083723|work=Ámbito Financiero|title=Madre de Fernando Báez Sosa: "Lo que le hicieron a mi hijo es terrible, lo mataron a traición"|date=18 February 2020|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}} Annual demonstrations on the anniversary of the murder have taken place across the country in 2021 and 2022, especially in Villa Gesell.{{cite news|url=https://www.eldiarioar.com/sociedad/marcha-dolor-pedido-justicia-anos-asesinato-fernando-baez-sosa_1_8663693.html|work=El Diario.ar|title=Marcha, dolor y pedido de justicia: a dos años del asesinato de Fernando Báez Sosa|date=17 January 2022|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}} On 9 December 2022, Graciela Sosa led another sit-in before the Congressional Palace.{{cite news|url=https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202212/613652-baez-sosa-madre-marcha-congreso-justicia-reclamo.html|archivedate=2024-03-03|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20240303185438/https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202212/613652-baez-sosa-madre-marcha-congreso-justicia-reclamo.html|work=Télam|title=La madre de Fernando Báez Sosa reclamará justicia frente al Congreso|date=9 December 2022|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}} For the occasion of the third anniversary of the murder, on 19 January 2023, Sosa led an "interfaith prayer" in her son's memory in Dolores, the site of the trial. The public gathering was attended by religious leaders from the local Roman Catholic, Muslim, Evangelical, Anglican, Jewish and Umbanda communities, and saw an attendance of over 3,000 people.{{cite news|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/516788-fernando-baez-sosa-no-queremos-venganza-queremos-justicia|work=Página 12|title=Marchas por Fernando Báez Sosa: "No queremos venganza, queremos justicia"|last=Brunetto|first=Santiago|date=19 January 2023|access-date=6 January 2023|language=es}}

Several prominent people in Argentina have spoken out asking for justice for Báez Sosa's murder, such as national football team players Leandro Paredes and Pity Martínez.{{cite news|url=https://www.ambito.com/informacion-general/fernando-baez-sosa/leandro-paredes-se-sumo-al-pedido-justicia-n5622382|title=Leandro Paredes se sumó al pedido de justicia por Fernando Báez Sosa|work=Ámbito Financiero|date=5 January 2023|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ole.com.ar/informacion-general/pedido-justicia-pity-martinez-fernando-baez-sosa_0_RfbW2ukTlm.html|work=Olé|title=El pedido de justicia del Pity Martínez por Fernando Báez Sosa|date=3 January 2023|access-date=10 January 2023|language=es}}

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• {{cite journal|url=https://repositorio.cedes.org/handle/123456789/4686|title=Muerte y clivaje político en la Argentina contemporánea: Una etnografía digital de la opinión pública sobre el homicidio de Fernando Báez Sosa|last1=Siede|first1=Liliana|last2=Sciurano|first2=Guido|journal=Revista M. Estudos sobre a morte, os mortos eo morrer|date=2021|volume=6|issue=12|pages=398–415|language=es|issn=2525-3050}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Baez Sosa, Fernando}}

Category:2020 murders in Argentina

Category:January 2020 in Argentina

Category:Argentine murder victims

Category:Deaths by beating

Category:Deaths by person in Argentina

Category:Filmed killings

Category:Racism in Argentina

Category:Hate crimes

Category:January 2020 crimes in South America