Two far-right activists go on trial in Paris over 2022 killing of Argentine rugby star Aramburu

A trial is underway in Paris for the killing of former Argentina rugby player Federico Martín Aramburú, which occurred more than four years ago. Four individuals, including two with ties to France's extreme right, are facing charges. The 42-year-old Aramburú was shot dead in March 2022 as he left a bar in Paris after attending the Six Nations Championship with his friend Shaun Hegarty.

Aramburú, married with three children, had moved to the French Basque Country following his rugby career. In memory of Aramburú, Argentina's rugby team wore "Justice for Fede" T-shirts during their match against Australia.

The main suspects, Loïk Le Priol and Romain Bouvier, both 35, have been charged with murder and attempted murder, with possible life imprisonment sentences. Le Priol's ex-girlfriend, 29-year-old Lyson Rochemir, faces a life sentence for complicity in attempted murder. A fourth defendant could receive up to three years in prison for hiding evidence.

Bouvier and Le Priol had a prior conviction for aggravated assault against a former president of a far-right student association in 2015, making them barred from seeing each other. On the night of the shooting, the two former rugby players arrived at a Paris bar, where they got into an altercation with the defendants. Surveillance footage showed Aramburú was shot multiple times, with Bouvier firing four shots and Le Priol adding six more.