A trial over the 2016 heist through which armed robbers tied up actuality star Kim Kardashian in her bed room and stole tens of millions of {dollars}’ price of knickknack has begun in Paris.
Ten folks — 9 males and a lady — are on trial on prices of theft and kidnapping of the media persona and the concierge of the residence the place she was staying on the evening of Oct. 2, 2016. Two of them acknowledged their participation and the others denied it.
Kardashian was in France for Vogue Week when males dressed as cops allegedly tied her up with zip ties and duct tape, held her at gunpoint and stole $10 million price of knickknack, together with a $4 million diamond ring given to her by her then-husband Kanye West.
In interviews and on her household’s actuality TV present, Kardashian described being terrified, pondering she was going to be raped and killed when the criminals broke into her bed room and pointed a gun at her.
“They dragged me out to the hallway on top of the stairs, that’s when I saw the gun like clear as day,” she mentioned on her present, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” “It makes me so upset thinking about it.”
Her attorneys mentioned she is going to testify in particular person on the trial, with a provisional schedule displaying that’s anticipated to occur on Might 13. The trial is scheduled to run by means of Might 23.
“Ms. Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time,” they mentioned. “She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities. She wishes the trial to proceed in an orderly fashion, in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case.”
Twelve folks had been initially anticipated within the defendants’ field. One in all them died and one other is significantly in poor health and might’t be tried. Based on the investigation, 5 of the ten defendants had been current on the scene of the theft.
The “Granddad Robbers”
The French press has dubbed them The Granddad Robbers as a result of the primary defendants are older — most of their 60s and 70s — and have been financial institution robbers with lengthy legal data.
The DNA of two of the accused was discovered on the scene, and so they have admitted collaborating within the theft.
Aomar Ait Khedache, now aged 69, was allegedly the mastermind behind the heist.
Often known as “Old Omar”, he reportedly instructed investigators he had no concept who Kardashian was however had heard from a waiter pal in regards to the superb jewellery she wore when she was out eating in Paris.
Aurelien Morissard/AP
When the robbers arrived on the luxurious suites lodge identified solely as “The No Address” the place the superstar was staying throughout Paris Vogue Week, they allegedly demanded the guard, at gunpoint, direct them to “the rapper’s wife” – a reference to her then-husband, West.
“Old Omar” reportedly wrote to Kardashian in 2017, when he was in custody, to apologize. Her attorneys mentioned he wrote to apologize after he heard her communicate of how traumatic the expertise had been.
He left the lodge on a bicycle, as did two others, then met his son, who was ready for him in a parked automotive at a close-by practice station.
The opposite man — 77-year-old Yunice Abbas — has publicly admitted to being a lookout in the course of the theft.
Aurelien Morissard/AP
He mentioned he was unarmed and didn’t personally threaten Kardashian, however admitted he shared duty for the crime.
In 2021, he co-authored a French-language e book titled “I Sequestered Kim Kardashian.”
Abbas instructed reporters that he’ll apologize in the course of the trial and can give particulars of his function within the heist however gained’t denounce anybody else.
The opposite defendants are suspected of offering details about Kardashian’s presence within the condo. Others are accused of enjoying a task within the resale of the jewellery in Antwerp, Belgium.
The gangsters stole many items of knickknack. Just one piece of knickknack — a diamond cross on platinum that was misplaced in the course of the suspects’ escape — has been recovered.
The suspects accused of robbing Kardashian will stand trial by jury, which in France is reserved for probably the most critical crimes.
contributed to this report.
