Two men linked to far-right groups have been convicted in Paris for the 2022 drive-by killing of former Argentina rugby international Federico Martin Aramburu. Loik Le Priol, 32, was sentenced to 26 years; Romain Bouvier, 35, received 19 years. CCTV showed an initial bar altercation before the suspects drove around and opened fire; Le Priol was later arrested in Hungary while attempting to cross into Ukraine.
Two Men Jailed Over 2022 Drive-By Killing Of Former Argentina Rugby Star Federico Aramburu
TikTok to pay $100m and limit daily child usage in Alabama settlement
Two men with prior links to far-right groups have been sentenced in Paris for the 2022 drive-by shooting that killed former Argentina international rugby player Federico Martin Aramburu.
Verdict and Sentences
In a Paris court on Friday, Loik Le Priol, 32, a former soldier who investigators say fired the fatal shots, was sentenced to 26 years in prison. Romain Bouvier, 35, who opened fire earlier in the episode, received a 19-year term.
"I'm Christian like you, the pope is here today," Le Priol told Aramburu's family in court. "I don't know if it's a sign... [I] hope one day you can find the strength to forgive me."
The Killing
Federico Martin Aramburu, 42, who earned 22 caps for Argentina and scored a memorable try at the 2007 World Cup in France as Argentina finished third, was shot dead after an early-morning altercation. He had played club rugby in France for Perpignan, Biarritz and Dax before joining Glasgow Warriors in 2010.
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage from 19 March 2022 showing Aramburu and a former team-mate, Shaun Hegarty, sitting at a bar opposite Le Priol and Bouvier. The footage captured an argument. As the two former players walked off toward their hotel, the two suspects reportedly drove around and opened fire; Aramburu was killed at the scene.
Arrest, Motive and Trial
Le Priol was later arrested in Hungary while attempting to cross into Ukraine, telling Hungarian police he intended to go there to fight. At the time of the attack, both Le Priol and Bouvier were linked to a far-right extremist group that has since dissolved.
During the trial the defence argued Le Priol suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and that Bouvier had experienced childhood trauma. Prosecutors and the presiding judge rejected those defences as explanations for the killing.
"The narcissistic, intrusive and uncontrollable rage of Loik Le Priol ultimately led to the gratuitous killing of Mr. Aramburu," the judge said, describing Le Priol as "animated by the will to kill."
Family Reaction
Aramburu's widow, Maria, urged the court to hand down a sentence that would allow her and their three children to rebuild their lives. The family has sought justice and a measure of closure after the high-profile killing.
Note: Reporting draws on court statements and surveillance footage reviewed during the investigation.
Help us improve.
