Federico Aramburu killing suspect asks forgiveness

Loik Le Priol, accused of killing former Argentine rugby international Federico Martin Aramburu in Paris, asked forgiveness from Aramburu's family on Friday as his trial concluded.

Le Priol, 32, and Romain Bouvier, 35, are far-right activists who face charges of murder and attempted murder over the March 2022 shooting after a dispute in a Paris brasserie. They risk life in prison.

Prosecutors have requested 27 years in jail for Le Priol, who they say fired the fatal shots, and 20 years for Bouvier, who they say opened fire initially. The Paris court was due to deliver its verdict later Friday evening.

Aramburu was killed aged 42 after a career in which he played 22 times for Argentina and later lived in France's Basque Country, where he had played for Biarritz.

In his final words to the court, Le Priol told Aramburu's family that he hoped they would one day find the strength to forgive him. Bouvier also addressed the family, saying he would never have the words for their suffering.

The two defendants maintained during the trial that they had been defending themselves against Aramburu and his friend and former teammate Shaun Hegarty. Both acknowledged violence with weapons but denied intending to kill Aramburu in their initial statements to the court.

Hegarty testified earlier this month that the defendants were seeking to evade responsibility and should remain in prison for as long as possible. Aramburu's widow, Maria, asked the court for a verdict that would allow the couple's three children to build their adult lives.