Widow of rugby player Federico Aramburú testifies in Paris murder trial

María Aramburú, the widow of former rugby player Federico Martín Aramburú, testified in a French court regarding her husband's murder. The trial is being held before the Court of Appeal in Paris to determine the culpability of Loïk Le Priol and Romain Bouvier, who are accused of the killing that occurred on March 19, 2022.

During her emotional testimony, María described the lasting trauma experienced by her three children and noted that no judicial sentence could return her husband to them. She recounted that the last communication from Aramburú was a photo with a raised fist and the word ‘Vamos’, celebrating a professional milestone related to the Rugby World Cup through his agency, Esprit Basque.

The incident began following an altercation in a Paris bar between Aramburú, his partner Shaun Hegarty, and the two defendants. The defendants allegedly pursued the victims to their hotel, where the shooting took place. The defense has argued the shots were fired in self-defense, while the prosecution seeks to prove intent to kill. The trial is expected to conclude by September 25.