Aramburu Murder: Le Priol Claims Self-Defence at Start of Trial in Paris
The trial of Loïk Le Priol and Romain Bouvier opened on Monday before the Paris court of assizes for the murder of rugby player Federico Martin Aramburu in 2022.
Aramburu Trial: Le Priol and Bouvier Contest Facts on First Day
On Monday 7 September, the Voltaire courtroom of the Paris court of assizes was packed. Loïk Le Priol, 32, a far-right activist and former military man, stood up from the dock to declare his identity at the start of the trial for the murder of Federico Martin Aramburu, a former Argentine rugby international shot dead during the night of 18 to 19 March 2022, BFM TV reports.
Wearing a light blue shirt, glasses and neatly combed hair, the defendant proved particularly polite towards the presiding judge: "Yes, monsieur le président", "quite right, monsieur le président". A courteous manner that contrasted with the gravity of the facts laid out during the reading of the charge sheet.
A Fatal Altercation in the Heart of Paris
That night, Federico Martin Aramburu was on the terrace of the Mabillon bar, in the 6th arrondissement, in the company of Shaun Hegarty, a former rugby international. At a nearby table were Loïk Le Priol, Romain Bouvier and Lyson R., then Le Priol's girlfriend. A first altercation had broken out shortly before the rugby player was shot dead.
Shaun Hegarty, a civil party in this case, did not miss a word of the reading of the facts. Seated opposite the two defendants, he took notes, turned over his papers and occasionally raised his eyes in the direction of Le Priol — the man accused of having killed his friend before his eyes.
"I Completely Contest the Facts"
Called upon to speak after the reading of the charge sheet, the two defendants took the floor one after the other to reject the charges.
Romain Bouvier, 35, prosecuted for attempted murder, stood up, body turned towards the court: "I completely contest the facts. I never wanted to kill him, not even wound him. I should not have had that loaded weapon in my pocket. I acknowledge having fired it in the street on four occasions." He specified that he fired in the direction of the ground in order to escape: "From the first shot to the last, I always wanted to shoot at the ground so that I could have time to get away. I thought I was being chased and that they were after me."
Only the next day, he said, did he learn that Loïk Le Priol had fired six times, hitting the Argentine four times, including two fatal shots. "When I heard the news of this terrible tragedy, I thought I was responsible for his death." His voice trembling, he concluded: "Since this catastrophe, I think every day about Federico Aramburu, about his family and about Shaun Hegarty who saw his friend die in his arms."
Le Priol: "I Have Always Said I Fired in Self-Defence"
Loïk Le Priol then took the floor. Whilst he acknowledges having fired and killed the Argentine rugby player, he denies any premeditation. "I am responsible for Federico's death, but I have always said I fired in self-defence," he declared.
He added: "The court will decide whether my defence was legitimate. Whatever its decision, it is for life that I will be condemned to carry this enormous tragedy." Before concluding: "I will never stop asking the family for forgiveness."
Four People Before the Court
In addition to the two main defendants, two other people are appearing freely in this case: Lyson R. and Anthony S., suspected of having concealed evidence and provided logistical assistance to the defendants during their flight. The trial continues before the Paris court of assizes.
Source: BFM TV