A new turning point in the Federico Martin Aramburu case. On Tuesday morning, the investigating chamber ordered the alleged killers of the Argentine – Loïk Le Priol, Romain Bouvier and Lyson Rochemir – to be sent before the Paris assize court. The first will be tried for murder, the second for attempted murder and the last for complicity in attempted murder. Note that the investigation has now been closed for a little over a year. The trial will open in the first half of 2026.

Federico Martin Aramburu (42) was savagely shot dead on 19 March 2022 in the middle of Paris, following an altercation on the terrace of a well-known bar on the Boulevard Saint-Germain (6th arrondissement). He was with his friend and the current president of Biarritz Olympique, Shaun Hegarty. Capped 20 times by Argentina and present at the 2007 World Cup, the former Pumas centre or wing had also worn the jerseys of Biarritz, Perpignan and Dax.

Federico Martin Aramburu notably wore the jersey of Biarritz Olympique. Neal Marchan / Icon Sport – Photo by Icon Sport

Having fallen in love with France, he had settled there with his wife and children. The La Plata native had notably set up a tourism company on the Basque coast. His murder provoked a wave of emotion and anger across the rugby world and well beyond. There is still more waiting to be done before the outcome of this terrible case is known.