The trial of two far-right activists accused of killing former Argentine international rugby player Federico Aramburu opened in Paris on Monday, more than four years after the fatal shooting.
Loik Le Priol, 32, and Romain Bouvier, 35, are facing charges of murder and attempted murder respectively over the March 19, 2022 incident.
Aramburu, 42, was in a Paris brasserie with fellow former rugby player Shaun Hegarty in the early hours of the morning when an argument broke out between the sportsmen and the two defendants.
After Aramburu and Hegarty left the restaurant, prosecutors allege that Le Priol and Bouvier followed them and opened fire. Aramburu was struck by several bullets and died from his injuries.
Le Priol, a former commando and one-time member of the now-disbanded far-right group GUD, is accused of firing the shots that killed Aramburu.
He was arrested days later near the Hungary-Ukraine border, where he reportedly told police he was “going to Ukraine to fight” following Russia’s invasion.
Both men have denied that they intended to kill Aramburu. If convicted, they could face lengthy prison sentences, with Le Priol potentially receiving life imprisonment.
The case has generated calls for justice in Argentina, where Aramburu represented the national team. Members of the Pumas wore black shirts carrying the words “Justice for Fede” before a match on Saturday.
Aramburu’s family, friends and members of Argentina’s rugby community have also launched a campaign aimed at keeping attention on his death.
They described the killing as “marked by violence, hatred and extremist intolerance” and urged that the circumstances surrounding his death should not be downplayed.
The Argentine Rugby Union has also voiced “its support for the call for justice” for the former player.
How the incident unfolded
According to investigators, tensions began rising at the restaurant after Hegarty confronted Le Priol over his treatment of another customer. Le Priol allegedly tapped Hegarty on the head.
As the rugby players departed, Aramburu reportedly grabbed Le Priol by his hood and brought him to the ground. A physical confrontation followed, leaving Le Priol with several broken teeth before the rugby players escaped.
Witnesses later told investigators that Le Priol allegedly threatened, “I’m going to kill him” and “We’ll find them.”
Investigators allege that Bouvier later fired at Aramburu from the vehicle of Le Priol’s then-girlfriend. Le Priol is accused of subsequently approaching the Argentine on foot and firing more shots, killing him.
Before his death, Aramburu had settled in Biarritz in southwestern France after retiring from professional rugby. During his career, he played for Perpignan, Biarritz and Dax in France, as well as Glasgow Warriors.
He made 22 appearances for Argentina between 2004 and 2009 and was remembered by former teammates and friends as “always smiling” and a “true friend.”
The two defendants were also previously investigated over the 2015 assault of a former GUD official and were sentenced in 2022 to two and three years in prison over that case.
The Paris trial is expected to run for several weeks, with a verdict anticipated on September 25.
