Paris trial into the fatal shooting of former rugby player Federico Martín Aramburú has begun

Four individuals, including two men associated with France's far-right extremist groups, are currently facing trial in Paris for the fatal shooting of former Argentine rugby player, Federico Martín Aramburú. The proceedings commenced on Monday, more than four years after Aramburú's death, with a verdict expected on September 25.

Loïk Le Priol, 32, has been charged with murder, while Romain Bouvier, 35, is accused of attempted murder; both could face life imprisonment. The 42-year-old Aramburú, who had represented Argentina 22 times, succumbed to injuries sustained during the shooting while leaving a bar with his friend Shaun Hegarty, a former New Zealand rugby player.

Aramburú and Hegarty were former teammates at Biarritz. Le Priol's ex-girlfriend, Lyson Rochemir, 29, who drove Bouvier to the crime scene, could be sentenced to life for complicity in attempted murder and was also present at the trial. A fourth defendant is also in the dock, facing up to three years in prison for obstructing the investigation to shield one of the shooters.

Despite their convictions for aggravated assault against a former president of a far-right student association in 2015, Bouvier and Le Priol were banned from interacting following their trial. According to the investigation, the group was under the influence of alcohol when they arrived at Le Mabillon, a bar in Paris's Latin Quarter, on March 19, 2022.

Initially, their conversation seemed amicable, but it quickly turned hostile, with insults and accusations exchanged. Le Priol allegedly threatened Aramburú, saying, "You're going to shut up, otherwise I'll shoot you and then I'll (expletive) your mother." However, the defendants deny these allegations.