Four people, including two men linked to France’s extreme right, are set to stand trial in Paris over the killing of former Argentina rugby player Federico Martín Aramburú. The trial, opening more than four years after Aramburú was shot dead in March 2022, will run until a verdict on September 25. The 42‑year‑old was killed as he left a bar in Paris after attending the Six Nations Championship with former New Zealand player Shaun Hegarty.
Aramburú, married and the father of three, had settled in the French Basque Country after ending his playing career in 2012. He played for Biarritz, Perpignan, Dax and Glasgow, earned 22 caps for Argentina and helped his country finish third at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Loïc Le Priol, 32, is charged with murder, while Romain Bouvier, 35, faces attempted murder; both could receive life imprisonment. Le Priol’s former girlfriend, 29‑year‑old Lyson Rochemir, who drove Bouvier to the scene, faces a possible life sentence for complicity in attempted murder. A fourth defendant may receive up to three years for concealing evidence to protect one of the shooters.
On March 19, 2022, after 5 a.m., the two former rugby players arrived at the Latin Quarter bar Le Mabillon. Alcohol had been consumed by everyone. An argument escalated, with Le Priol allegedly threatening Aramburú, a claim the defendants deny. A fight broke out, the bouncer intervened, and the groups split. The far‑right activists, furious, drove in a Jeep with Rochemir to find the rugby players. Bouvier fired four shots at Aramburú, two of which struck; Le Priol then fired six shots, four of which hit and killed Aramburú. The Argentine collapsed into Hegarty’s arms.
Investigators captured the events on surveillance cameras. Rochemir was arrested on the same day, March 19. Le Priol was detained three days later while attempting to cross the Hungary‑Ukraine border. Bouvier was arrested on October 23, 2022, in Sablé‑sur‑Sarthe. Le Priol and Bouvier remain in custody; Rochemir and the fourth defendant will stand trial while under judicial supervision.
