Suspect arrested in Hungary over Argentinian rugby player's death

A man suspected in the weekend killing of former Argentina rugby international Federico Martin Aramburu has been arrested in Hungary, European Union judicial cooperation agency Eurojust has reported.

Paris prosecutors opened a murder investigation after Aramburu, who made 22 international appearances for Argentina during his career, was fatally shot in Paris on Saturday at the age of 42.

Eurojust did not release details of the suspect’s identity. It said he had fled to Hungary and was heading for Ukraine when he was detained by border police acting on a search warrant issued by French law enforcement authorities.

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 6

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 6

Eurojust said it coordinated the process of French authorities issuing a European Arrest Warrant and sending it to Hungary to enable the suspect to be formally arrested, paving the way for him to be transferred to France.

L’Equipe sports daily first reported Aramburu’s death.

According to the newspaper, he was shot in the early hours of Saturday outside a Paris bar following an altercation involving a group of people including Aramburu and a friend of his.

Aramburu, who could play at wing or centre, played for Biarritz, Perpignan and Dax in the French league, winning the French championship twice with Biarritz, in 2005 and 2006.

He was part of the Argentina team that finished third at the 2007 World Cup. According to L’Equipe, Aramburu lived in France and had planned to travel to Argentina next week.