Rugby player's murder trial: Sentences of 20 and 27 years sought by prosecutors

The trial concerning the killing of former Pumas international Federico Martín Aramburú, who was fatally shot on March 19, 2022, has reached a new stage, with the attorney general in charge of the case seeking sentences of 27 and 20 years for the two defendants.

Philippe Courroye, the lead prosecutor in the case, is seeking convictions that would see Loïk Le Priol and Romain Bouvier behind bars, accusing both men of carrying out a premeditated killing.

Aramburú was a legend at Buenos Aires CASI before moving to France, where he helped Biarritz Olympique win the Top 14 twice before joining US Dax. In 2010, he had his only experience on British soil, featuring for Glasgow Warriors and staying with the Scottish side for one season. He then returned to Argentina to play for CASI, ending his career after the 2011/12 season.

As a member of Los Pumas, Federico Martín Aramburú earned 22 caps for Argentina and represented his country at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, winning a bronze medal at France’s expense.

Aramburú was shot and killed in Paris in the early hours of March 19, 2022, following a night out. It began with an altercation involving a group that included the former player; Aramburú, who was accompanied by Shaun Hegarty, left the scene shortly afterwards.

However, according to several witnesses, a car drove towards Aramburú and two passengers got out and fired several shots at the former player, who died at the scene. Later, French police, with the assistance of Europol, identified Loïk Le Priol and Romain Bouvier as the prime suspects in the homicide, and they were captured shortly afterwards.

At the time, both suspects belonged to French far-right groups, mainly the Groupe Union Défense, known throughout France for acts of extreme violence, racism and xenophobia. French prosecutors argue that the killing of former Pumas international Federico Martín Aramburú was premeditated and stemmed from that earlier confrontation, in which Aramburú and his companions intervened to stop an alleged racist attack on a homeless man by a group that included Loïk Le Priol.

Prosecutors argue that the incident prompted Le Priol and Romain Bouvier to plan and carry out the murder of the former Argentina international.

Lyson Rochemir, a former associate of Loïk Le Priol, and Antony Sorrentino are also accused of involvement in the case, as both allegedly attempted to conceal the two murder suspects and aid their escape.

The defence claims the killing was not premeditated and that the defendants acted in self-defence, having fired without the intent to kill.

Under French law, the maximum penalty for homicide is 30 years in prison. With prosecutors seeking sentences of 27 and 20 years for the two defendants, the court is set to deliver its verdict tomorrow.