LIAM Payne’s alleged drug dealer will avoid any jail time and soon be a free man, claims the hotel waiter’s lawyer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
LIAM'S former One Direction bandmates released a joint statement after his death, as well as emotional individual tributes to the tragic star.
They said: We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.
But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam. – Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.
Louis Tomlinson wrote: “His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on.
“Thank you for shaping us Liam.
“I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.
“I wish I got a chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.”
Zayn Malik said: “Liam I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.
“I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.
“When I was missing home as a 17-year-old kid, you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.”
He added: “When it came to the music, Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense.
“I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.
“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly.
“I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever”.
And Harry Styles wrote: “I am truly devastated by Liam’s passing.
“His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.
“He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving.
“The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.
“My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did.”
Niall Horan said: “I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real.
“Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel – happy and secure.
“All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness.
“We got to live out our wildest dreams together, and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime.”
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.
