Ex-Rugby Player’s Murder Trial Begins in Paris

Former member of the banned far-right group GUD (Groupe Union Défense) Loik Le Priol admitted in a Paris court on Monday to shooting dead former Argentina rugby international Federico Aramburu four years ago, but maintained that he acted in self-defense.

Le Priol, 32, is charged with murder. He told the jury that regardless of whether the court accepted his self-defense claim, he would spend the rest of his life bearing the tragedy and asking for forgiveness.

Aramburu was having a late drink with his friend and fellow former rugby player Shaun Hegarty on the terrace of the Mabillon cafe on 19 March 2022. Le Priol, Romain Bouvier and Le Priol’s then-girlfriend Lyson Rochemir were seated at a nearby table. An altercation between the groups escalated into a fight before security staff intervened.

The confrontation then spilled onto Boulevard Saint-Germain. According to investigators, Bouvier fired shots at Aramburu before Le Priol opened fire. Aramburu died at the scene.

All three defendants fled afterward. Le Priol was arrested in Hungary while attempting to cross the border into Ukraine. Bouvier, 35, is charged with attempted murder, as is Rochemir, 29. Le Priol and Bouvier are already serving prison sentences for aggravated assault in a separate case.

The trial is expected to run until 25 September. All three defendants face life imprisonment.

(Reuters, max)