Paris Court Opens High-Stakes Trial Over the Tragic Murder of Argentine Rugby Star Federico Aramburu

The legal proceedings concerning the killing of former Argentina rugby international Federico Aramburu have commenced in Paris on Monday. This development comes over four years after the former athlete was shot dead in the French capital following a dispute near the Boulevard Saint-Germain.

Two former members of a violent far-right group are facing trial on serious charges of murder and attempted murder. Loik Le Priol, aged 32, is accused by investigators of firing the fatal shots and faces a murder charge. His associate, Romain Bouvier, aged 35, is charged with attempted murder after prosecutors stated he also discharged a weapon during the confrontation. Both individuals are currently serving prison sentences related to an unrelated aggravated assault case.

According to the findings of the investigation, the 42-year-old Aramburu was enjoying a late drink with his friend and fellow former rugby player Shaun Hegarty on the terrace of the Mabillon cafe on March 19, 2022. Nearby, Le Priol, Bouvier, and Le Priol's then girlfriend, Lyson Rochemir, aged 29—who is also facing trial for attempted murder—were seated at an adjacent table. Investigators noted that an argument subsequently arose between the two parties.

Review of CCTV footage during the probe revealed an initial confrontation involving Hegarty and Le Priol. Court documents show that the disagreement quickly escalated into a physical altercation involving Aramburu, Hegarty, Le Priol, and Bouvier before security personnel intervened. Prosecutors report that the violence spilled outside shortly afterward. Investigators state that Bouvier arrived in a vehicle driven by Rochemir and fired shots at Aramburu, prior to Le Priol opening fire as well. Aramburu tragically died at the scene, and prosecutors indicate that the three defendants fled immediately afterward.

Law enforcement arrested Rochemir in Paris later that same day, while Bouvier was apprehended a few days later within the Sarthe region. A third individual, Antony Sorrentino, is also standing trial under accusations of assisting Bouvier in evading arrest. Meanwhile, Le Priol was captured in Hungary while attempting an unauthorized crossing into Ukraine.

The trial is scheduled to continue through September 25, at which point the court is anticipated to deliver its final verdict. Le Priol, Bouvier, and Rochemir all face potential life imprisonment if convicted.

During his athletic career, Aramburu earned 22 caps for the national team of Argentina and represented several French clubs, including Biarritz and Perpignan. The ongoing trial has sparked widespread demands for justice within Aramburu's homeland of Argentina, where members of the Pumas wore black T-shirts displaying the message “Justice for Fede” prior to a match on Saturday.

Former friends and teammates have fondly remembered Aramburu as a “true friend” who was “always smiling,” while his grieving relatives have strongly warned against any attempts to diminish the severity of his death. Supported by his family, friends, and the broader Argentinian rugby community, a campaign has been launched to guarantee that “society remembers what is about to be tried: the murder of a 42-year-old man, father of three children, whose life was snatched away.” Representatives emphasized that the killing was characterized by “violence, hatred and extremist intolerance.” Furthermore, the Argentine Rugby Union released an official statement voicing its firm backing for the collective call for justice on behalf of Aramburu.