The sign of the restaurant Le Mabillon shines with a faint light. Just like on March 19, 2022, when Federico Martín Aramburú collapsed on Boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris, hit by six bullets, three of which in the back. A year and a half later, a reconstruction was organized on Wednesday, November 8, at the scene. Out of the two main suspects in the murder of the former Argentine rugby player of Biarritz Olympique, aged 42, only Loïk Le Priol participated. The former militant of the extreme right movement Groupe union defense (GUD) arrived around 8 p.m., wearing a helmet and surrounded by a large police cordon. Romain Bouvier, his alleged accomplice, refused to get off the truck.
The investigating judges were aiming to confront their statements, findings, and expert reports with the reality on the ground. The reconstruction was supposed to check the credibility of the distances and angles of shots. It continued until 3 am in different parts of the boulevard.
According to the investigation, after an initial altercation on the terrace of the Mabillon, Romain Bouvier fired four times at Federico Martín Aramburú from a Jeep. In the middle of the street, the Argentine is hit twice, with non-fatal injuries. A few seconds later, alerted by the shots, Loïk Le Priol arrived. He fired six shots in a few seconds. This time, the shots were fatal.
For almost seven hours, Loïk Le Priol repeated the gestures. The 29-year-old was accompanied by his lawyer, Me Xavier Nogueras. In addition to the investigators and examining magistrates, the judicial identity, the scientific police, a ballistics expert, and a forensic scientist were present on site. The reconstruction took place behind tarpaulins, out of sight.
“For the civil party’s counsel, the reconstruction allowed for a real-life scenario which demonstrates, beyond a homicidal intention, a terrible determination to kill,” said Me Yann Le Bras, the lawyer for the victim’s family. Now it remains to analyze everything. “The scenarios and photographic albums will be submitted to the appreciation of the experts who were present, to show and demonstrate what is compatible and what is not,” continued Me Le Bras.
The premeditation and intent to kill are under discussion. Loïk Le Priol claims he fired in self-defense. Without wanting to take a life. The former marine commando also suffers from unresolved post-traumatic stress since his discharge from the army in 2015. His altered judgment was recognized in another matter. Psychiatric experts have been asked to determine if he still suffered from it in 2022.
Shaun Hegarty also participated in this reconstruction. The former rugby player was with the victim on the night of the tragedy. He became a civil party in the case. The two friends had planned to attend a Six Nations Tournament match. “He made an effort to maintain intellectual integrity by delivering his memories as objectively as possible,” explained his lawyer, Me Christophe Cariou-Martin. In June, he was confronted with Loïk Le Priol and Romain Bouvier for about twelve hours in the examining magistrates’ office. “He knows what a mental exercise it represents. He was exemplary. The reconstruction has strengthened our belief in a methodical manhunt,” continued Me Cariou-Martin. Death was inevitable considering the intention of the suspects.
Two other people are under investigation in this case. A close friend of Loïk Le Priol, suspected of driving the Jeep on the night of the events, and a man accused of helping Romain Bouvier escape. At this stage, everyone benefits from the presumption of innocence. This reconstruction is one of the final important acts of the investigation. The investigation is moving towards its conclusion. A trial before the Paris Assizes Court could take place in 2024.
(1) At the time of publication, he had not responded to our requests.
