The trial of Loik Le Priol, 32, and Romain Bouvier, 35, concluded on Friday, with Le Priol asking forgiveness from the family of former Argentine rugby international Federico Martin Aramburu. Aramburu was gunned down in a Paris brasserie in March 2022 after a dispute. Le Priol, who fired the fatal shots, and Bouvier, who opened fire initially, face charges of murder and attempted murder. Prosecutors have asked for Le Priol to be given 27 years in jail and Bouvier 20 years.
Aramburu, 42, was a successful rugby player who played 22 times for Argentina and was a popular figure in France's Basque Country. He had a stint with local southwestern side Biarritz, where he later lived. The court in Paris is due to hand down its verdict later on Friday evening. Le Priol, in his final words to Aramburu's family, said he was a Christian and hoped that one day they would find the strength to forgive him.
Le Priol reflected on the requested sentence of 27 years, saying it was "staggering – it's the age I was at the time of the incident." He added that during the three weeks of proceedings, he had come to understand a lot about himself. Bouvier, who also addressed the court, said he would never have the words to address the suffering and dignity of Aramburu's family.
The two men, former members of the now-dissolved far-right movement GUD, had fired ten rounds – emptying their entire magazines – during the incident. They maintained that they had been defending themselves against Aramburu and his friend and former teammate Shaun Hegarty. The defence cited childhood trauma in Bouvier's case and post-traumatic stress disorder for Le Priol.
Both defendants denied intending to kill Aramburu in their initial statements to the court. However, Hegarty angrily accused the pair of seeking to "evade responsibility" for their actions and said they should stay "in prison for as long as possible." Aramburu's widow Maria had asked the court for a verdict that would allow their three children "to build their lives as adults."
The trial has prompted calls for justice in Aramburu's native Argentina, with members of the Pumas wearing black T-shirts bearing the words "Justice for Fede" ahead of a match this month. The case has also drawn attention from prominent sports figures, including rugby player Thomas Lievremont and former tennis star and now French Open director Amelie Mauresmo.
The verdict in the case is expected to be handed down later on Friday evening. If convicted, Le Priol and Bouvier will face significant prison sentences for their roles in Aramburu's death. The case has highlighted issues of violence and extremism in France, and the impact on the families and communities affected.
Key points
- Loik Le Priol, 32, asks forgiveness from Federico Martin Aramburu's family as trial concludes.
- Prosecutors ask for Le Priol to be given 27 years in jail and Bouvier 20 years for their roles in Aramburu's death.
- The trial has prompted calls for justice in Aramburu's native Argentina, with members of the Pumas wearing black T-shirts bearing the words "Justice for Fede".
