Two men jailed for murder of ex-Glasgow Warriors player

Aramburú, a married father of three who was capped 22 times by Argentina, was killed in a shooting following an altercation in a Paris bar in the early hours of March 19, 2022. He was 42.

Loïk Le Priol, 32, a former soldier, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 26 years' imprisonment following a three-week trial in the French capital. Romain Bouvier, 35, who opened fire initially, received a 19-year sentence for attempted murder.

Le Priol and Bouvier were both linked to a far-right extremist group at the time.

Aramburu was having a drink with friend and fellow former rugby player Shaun Hegarty at the Mabillon cafe in Paris' sixth arrondissement. Also in the bar were Le Priol, Bouvier and Le Priol's then-girlfriend, Lyson Rochemir, 29.

A fight broke out involving Aramburu, Hegarty, Le Priol and Bouvier and spilled onto the Boulevard Saint-Germain. Bouvier fired shots at Aramburu before Le Priol opened ⁠fire. Aramburu ​died at the scene.

Tried to flee the country

The three defendants fled. Le ​Priol was arrested in Hungary, while attempting to cross the border into Ukraine.

Rochemir was charged with obstructing justice and sentenced to three years' imprisonment with 30 months suspended. She will not be re-incarcerated.

At the end of the deliberations, presiding judge Franck Zientara said: “Federico Martin-Aramburu was the victim of the deadly chemistry between two men fascinated by weapons and violence.”

Aramburu, who played in France for Biarritz, Perpignan and Dax, was with Glasgow Warriors between 2010 and 2012 and made 32 appearances for the club.

Following his death, the Warriors paid tribute to him before their game with Zebre Parma. They opened a book of condolence and raised money to support his widow, Maria Aramburu, and the three young children.

The then Glasgow Warriors managing director Al Kellock, who played alongside Aramburu, said at the time: “Fede was a truly gifted rugby player, but above all he was one of the greatest human beings you could ever have the privilege to meet.”