Kim Kardashian Robbery Verdict: Eight People Found Responsible for the Paris Theft

Nearly ten years ago, US reality TV star Kim Kardashian was robbed in Paris of jewelry valued at millions of dollars at gunpoint. Since then, eight people have been convicted guilty. 

The four individuals involved in the crime received terms of up to eight years, the most of which were suspended, and they will not be prosecuted again due to time served. Two individuals were exonerated.

The armed theft of $10 million (£7.55 million) worth of jewelry, including a diamond engagement ring, during Paris Fashion Week in 2016 was allegedly carried out or assisted by nine men and one woman.

“The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving a lasting impact on me and my family,” Kardashian said in a statement following the trials.

“While I’ll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all.”

According to Kardashian’s lawyers, she “looks forward to putting this tragic episode behind her, as she continues working to improve the criminal justice system on behalf of victims, the innocent and the incarcerated seeking to redeem themselves” .

During the evening of October 3–4, 2016, Kardashian was in her room at the Hotel de Pourtales in the heart of Paris when a group of guys broke in.

Aomar Ait Khedache, 69, and Yunice Abbas, 71, were identified by DNA evidence as having been present at the crime site and have acknowledged their involvement.

Khedache was given an eight-year prison sentence on Friday, five of which were suspended. He is now deaf and mute and crippled.

He won’t go back to prison like the other convicted people because of the time he has already served.

Abbas, who recently had heart surgery and has Parkinson’s disease, was sentenced to seven years in prison with five years suspended, along with Didier Dubreucq.

Marc-Alexandre Boyer, 35, the fourth robbery gang member, received the same punishment.

The group is known as the “Grandpa robbers” in French media, with the majority of those imprisoned now in their 60s and 70s.

However, both the prosecution and the civil parties have vehemently contested claims that the thieves were innocent since the trial started in April.

The jury was persuaded by prosecutor general Anne-Dominique Merville to disregard the defendants’ age and health, characterizing them as “seasoned robbers” at the time of the crime.

However, Friday’s punishments were far less severe than what the prosecution had wanted.

Judge David De Pas informed the prisoners during the verdict delivery, “The sentences are quite lenient; I understand that you understand that you have caused harm.”

He further stated that “the state of health of the main protagonists ethically prohibits incarcerating anyone” .

He further stated: “It would have been unjust to take you to prison this evening.”

When Kardashian received a letter of apology from Khedache, she informed the court earlier this month that she had forgiven him.

“The letter is really appreciated. I do thank you, and I’m sorry,” she added.

When did the heist occur?

Kardashian related the events of that night during the trial.

Around three o’clock, she claimed, she went to her hotel room when two masked shooters in police uniforms stormed in, taking the gagged and bound receptionist with them.

One of the men grabbed her phone away from her after she had successfully called her bodyguard.

They “picked me up off the bed and grabbed me and took me down the hallway to look for more jewellery” after stealing her engagement ring, which had been stored on the bedside table.

After being flung onto the bed with her hands fastened with zip ties, one of the men placed a gun to her back.

This is when she said to the concierge, “Please translate to them that I have babies, I have to make it home.”

When she was tugged forward him by one of the men, her robe—which she was wearing nothing under—opened.

When she told the judge that she was terrified of being raped, her legs were bound together.

When a rifle was aimed at her, she claimed to think she was going to die.

Kardashian was left in the bathroom as the burglars grabbed the jewelry and fled the suite.

Simone Harouche, a stylist and friend, helped her free herself, and she rushed out onto the balcony to call for assistance.

When the Parisian police arrived, Kardashian claimed she couldn’t trust them because the robberies had also been dressed in police uniforms, and she was afraid the men would return.