A Paris court delivered its verdict on Friday in the much-watched Kim Kardashian jewelery theft trial, involving ten defendants accused of orchestrating one of the most brazen celebrity heists in recent French history. The court has found eight out of ten defendants guilty in connection with the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian at a luxury hotel. The court convicted the alleged ringleader and seven others of charges including armed robbery, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy. Two of the ten accused were acquitted. The defendants — nine men and one woman — had an average age of 70. The high-profile case dates back to October 3, 2016, when the American reality TV star was held at gunpoint and robbed of jewelery worth approximately €10 million while attending Paris Fashion Week, as mentioned in a report by The Guardian.
French media dubbed the culprits the “grandpa robbers” due to the advanced ages of some key suspects. The alleged ringleaders, many of them in their 60s and 70s, reportedly arrived at the scene on bicycles or on foot, executing what prosecutors have described as a “meticulously prepared” operation.
Merville had requested 10-year prison terms for Aomar Aït Khedache, 68, described as the mastermind behind the heist, as well as for co-defendants Didier Dubreucq, 69; Yunice Abbas, 71; and Marc-Alexandre Boyer, the youngest among the accused, currently in his 30s. While Khedache admitted involvement, he denied orchestrating the crime.
Five additional men and one woman have been charged with assisting in the plot. Prosecutors recommended seven-year sentences for Gary Madar, the brother of Kardashian’s chauffeur, and his associate Florus Heroui, alleging they provided insider information regarding Kardashian’s Paris itinerary. Eight years were suggested for Khedache’s son, Harminy, accused of serving as the driver.
Cathy Glotin, the only woman on trial, was portrayed as a grandmother engaged in charity work but allegedly complicit in arranging meetings between conspirators. A six-year sentence has been proposed for her. All secondary defendants have denied their roles.
Kim Kardashian, who has since become a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform in the U.S., gave moving testimony during the Kim Kardashian robbery trial, recalling her terror during the attack. She said she feared for her life and now lives under constant security.
Her final words in court were directed at Khedache: “I forgive you… but it does not change the trauma or how my life has been permanently altered.”
The verdict is expected to close a grim chapter in Kardashian’s public life, marking a significant moment in French legal history as one of the largest personal robberies in two decades.
A Night of Terror in the French Capital
In the early hours of the incident, a group of armed, masked men disguised in police uniforms broke into a discreet luxury residence in central Paris. Kim Kardashian, who was alone in her suite, was forcibly restrained, gagged, and left on the bathroom floor as the intruders ransacked the room. Among the valuables stolen was an 18.88-carat diamond engagement ring, a gift from then-husband Kanye West, estimated at £3 million.French media dubbed the culprits the “grandpa robbers” due to the advanced ages of some key suspects. The alleged ringleaders, many of them in their 60s and 70s, reportedly arrived at the scene on bicycles or on foot, executing what prosecutors have described as a “meticulously prepared” operation.
Prosecutor Urges Harsh Sentences
State prosecutor Anne-Dominique Merville dismissed the notion that the accused should be treated leniently due to age. “Do not be misled by the wrinkles,” she told the jury and presiding judges. She characterised the defendants as seasoned criminals with prior convictions and called the robbery a violent and calculated crime.Merville had requested 10-year prison terms for Aomar Aït Khedache, 68, described as the mastermind behind the heist, as well as for co-defendants Didier Dubreucq, 69; Yunice Abbas, 71; and Marc-Alexandre Boyer, the youngest among the accused, currently in his 30s. While Khedache admitted involvement, he denied orchestrating the crime.
Network of Accomplices Also on Trial
Five additional men and one woman have been charged with assisting in the plot. Prosecutors recommended seven-year sentences for Gary Madar, the brother of Kardashian’s chauffeur, and his associate Florus Heroui, alleging they provided insider information regarding Kardashian’s Paris itinerary. Eight years were suggested for Khedache’s son, Harminy, accused of serving as the driver.Cathy Glotin, the only woman on trial, was portrayed as a grandmother engaged in charity work but allegedly complicit in arranging meetings between conspirators. A six-year sentence has been proposed for her. All secondary defendants have denied their roles.
Kardashian’s Emotional Testimony
Kim Kardashian, who has since become a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform in the U.S., gave moving testimony during the Kim Kardashian robbery trial, recalling her terror during the attack. She said she feared for her life and now lives under constant security.Her final words in court were directed at Khedache: “I forgive you… but it does not change the trauma or how my life has been permanently altered.”
The verdict is expected to close a grim chapter in Kardashian’s public life, marking a significant moment in French legal history as one of the largest personal robberies in two decades.
