Far right activists charged with murder in death of former Argentina international
Federico Martin Aramburu in action for Argentina at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.
Two alleged suspects have been ordered by French investigating magistrates to stand trial for the murder of former Argentina utility back Federico Martin Aramburu after a shooting which took place two years ago.
Aramburu was in a Paris bar with another player in Paris in March 2022 when they were involved in an argument with Loik Le Priol and Romain Bouvier.
Part of former ultra-right movement
According to an AFP report, the two accused are suspected of firing several fatal gunshots at Aramburu, who was 42 years old at the time.
Thirty-year-old Le Priol is a former commando and a member of an ultra-right movement in France which was dissolved recently.
Le Priol was arrested four days after Aramburu‘s murder at the Hungary-Ukraine border, where he told police he was “going to Ukraine to fight” after Russia’s invasion of that country.
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Bouvier is 33 and a close friend of Le Priol.
The duo are currently in detention and have been charged with ‘premeditated armed violence’ towards Shaun Hegarty who was with Aramburu on the evening of the Argentine’s death.
Meanwhile, Le Priol’s partner and another person have also been charged as they are facing accusations of aiding in the killing and helping Le Priol escape.
Lawyers in the case were unavailable for immediate comment.
Represented Argentina in 22 Tests
Aramburu, who was comfortable on the wing or at centre, represented Los Pumas in 22 Tests and also made his mark with Argentina’s Sevens team.
He had stints at club level in France with Biarritz – where he won the Top 14 twice in 2005 and 2006 – Perpignan and Dax between 2004 and 2010 before playing for Glasgow Warriors during the 2010/11 season.
After his retirement, he returned to France and resided in Biarritz.