The trial of two far-right activists accused of killing former Argentine rugby international Federico Aramburu opened in Paris on Monday, more than four years after a late-night confrontation ended in the sportsman’s death.
Loik Le Priol, 32, and Romain Bouvier, 35, are facing charges of murder and attempted murder over the March 19, 2022 incident.
Aramburu, who was 42, had been sitting at a Paris brasserie with fellow former rugby player Shaun Hegarty in the early hours of the morning when they became involved in an argument with Le Priol and Bouvier.
After the rugby players left the establishment, the two defendants allegedly followed them and opened fire. Aramburu was struck by several bullets and died from his injuries.
Le Priol, a former commando and member of the now-dissolved far-right group GUD, is accused of firing the shots that killed Aramburu.
Bouvier is accused of taking part in the shooting.
Both men have denied intending to kill the former rugby international.
The trial is expected to last several weeks, with a verdict scheduled for September 25. If convicted, the defendants could face life imprisonment.
Calls for Justice in Argentina
The case has attracted significant attention in Aramburu’s native Argentina, where he represented the national team, known as the Pumas.
Ahead of a match on Saturday, members of the Argentine team wore black T-shirts carrying the message, “Justice for Fede.”
Aramburu’s family, friends and members of the Argentine rugby community have also backed a campaign aimed at ensuring that the case remains focused on the loss of a 42-year-old father of three.
They described the killing as an act marked by “violence, hatred and extremist intolerance.”
The Argentine Rugby Union also expressed its support for the call for justice.
What Happened That Night?
According to the investigation, tensions began rising at the restaurant after Hegarty criticised Le Priol for the way he spoke to another customer.
Le Priol allegedly responded by tapping Hegarty on the head.
As the rugby players left the restaurant, Aramburu reportedly grabbed Le Priol by his hood and knocked him to the ground.
A fight followed, leaving Le Priol with several broken teeth before the rugby players fled the scene.
Witnesses later reported that Le Priol threatened to kill Aramburu and said they would find him.
Investigators allege that the two men subsequently caught up with Aramburu and Hegarty in a vehicle belonging to Le Priol’s then-girlfriend.
Bouvier allegedly fired at Aramburu before fleeing the scene.
Le Priol is accused of later arriving on foot and firing additional shots that fatally wounded the Argentine.
Aramburu’s Rugby Career
Aramburu had been living in Biarritz in southwestern France after retiring from professional rugby.
During his career, he played for French clubs including Perpignan, Biarritz and Dax, as well as Scotland’s Glasgow Warriors.
He earned 22 international caps for Argentina between 2004 and 2009.
The two defendants were also already under investigation at the time of Aramburu’s killing over the 2015 assault of a former GUD official.
They were convicted in 2022 and sentenced to two and three years in prison respectively for that incident.
Le Priol was arrested several days after Aramburu’s killing at the Hungary-Ukraine border. At the time, he reportedly told police that he was travelling to Ukraine to fight following Russia’s invasion.
The Paris trial is expected to run for several weeks, with the court scheduled to deliver its verdict on September 25.
