Aramburu murder trial enters final phase in Paris

The trial regarding the 2022 murder of former Argentine rugby player Federico Martin Aramburu has entered its final phase in Paris. The proceedings focus on the actions of Loïk Le Priol, a 32-year-old former soldier and far-right activist, and his co-defendant Romain Bouvier.

During his testimony, Le Priol admitted to being the one who fired the shots but claimed he acted out of a ‘pure military reflex’ during a physical altercation. He described himself as being in a ‘tunnel effect’ and claimed he fired to make the violence stop after being struck. While he previously argued for self-defense, his defense has shifted, and he has expressed remorse to the victim's widow and children, describing his former self as a ‘dinosaur’.

The prosecution is investigating whether the attack was premeditated or influenced by Le Priol's ties to far-right groups. The court is expected to deliver its verdict this Friday, with both defendants facing the possibility of life imprisonment.