Trial begins over 2016 jewel heist aimed at Kim Kardashian

PARIS (AP) — A trial began Monday in Paris over the 2016 heist in which armed robbers tied up Kim Kardashian in her bedroom and stole millions of dollars’ worth of jewelry during Fashion Week.

The robbery was considered the biggest heist targeting an individual that Paris had seen in decades. The jury of six citizens will conduct the trial along with three magistrates — a procedure in France reserved for the most serious crimes.

Ten people, nine men and a woman, face charges of robbery and kidnapping of the media personality and the concierge of the residence where she was staying on the night of Oct. 2, 2016.

Two have acknowledged their participation. The others have denied it.

Kardashian has described being terrified, thinking she would be raped and killed when criminals broke into her bedroom and pointed a gun at her.

Her lawyers said she will testify in person. She is expected to speak on May 13. The trial is scheduled to run through May 23.

“Ms. Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time,” they said. “She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities.”

In a 2020 appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show, Kardashian tearfully recalled thinking: “This is the time I’m going to get raped. I’m like, ‘What is happening? Are we gonna die? Just tell them I have children. I have babies, I have a husband, I have a family.'”

Twelve people were originally expected in the defendants’ box. One has died and another is seriously ill and can’t be tried. According to the investigation, five of the 10 defendants were present at the scene of the robbery.

The ‘Granddad Robbers’

The French press has dubbed them “The Granddad Robbers” because the main defendants are older and have been bank robbers with long criminal records.

Kardashian told investigators she was taken to a bathroom and placed in the bathtub. Her attackers fled on bicycles or on foot, and she freed herself by removing the tape.

She rushed to her stylist’s room and called her sister Kourtney. Shortly afterward, Kardashian told investigators that she had not been injured. She filed a complaint, adding that she wanted to leave France as soon as possible to be reunited with her children.

According to her testimony and that of the concierge, at least one suspect had a handgun with which he threatened the victims.

Henri de Beauregard, the lawyer representing Abderrahmane Ouatiki, the concierge, said the intruders “were experienced, determined criminals who did not hesitate to threaten him while he was working nights to finance his studies.”

Jewelry worth millions of dollars

The gangsters stole many pieces of jewelry estimated to be worth $6 million, including Kardashian’s engagement ring. Only one piece — a diamond cross on platinum that was lost during the suspects’ escape — has been recovered.

Two of the accused have partially confessed to the crime, as their DNA was found at the scene.

The alleged ringleader, 68-year-old Aomar Aït Khedache, is one of two who allegedly entered the apartment. Nicknamed “Old Omar,” his genetic profile was found on the tape used to gag Kardashian.

Khedache’s lawyer, Franck Berton, said his client is pleading guilty because he acknowledges his participation and “will apologize, will actually explain how it happened, how he was contacted and finally how the events unfolded.”

Khedache, who is deaf, will answer the court’s questions in writing. He left the hotel on a bicycle, as did two others, then met his son, who was waiting for him in a parked car at a nearby train station.
Suspect to express remorse

Another said he tied up the concierge but did not go to Kardashian’s apartment. Yunice Abbas, 71, said he acted as a lookout in the ground floor reception area, making sure the escape route was clear.

He told the AP he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian, but admitted he shared responsibility for the crime.

Gabriel Dumenil, Abbas’ lawyer, said his client aims to “deliver his own truth and explain the reasons that prompted him to do this and simply perhaps also ask for forgiveness and express his remorse.”

Abbas was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision. In 2021, he co-authored a French-language book titled “I Sequestered Kim Kardashian.”

Didier Dubreucq, 69, known as “Blue Eyes,” is the second alleged robber suspected of entering the flat. He denies involvement although he was filmed by CCTV cameras, and numerous telephone contacts with the other co-defendants show his involvement, according to the investigation.

The other defendants are suspected of providing information about Kardashian’s presence in the apartment or accused of playing a role in the resale of the jewelry in Antwerp, Belgium.
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AP journalists Catherine Gaschka, Alexander Turnbull and Nicolas Garriga contributed to the story.
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This version corrects to say the total value of the stolen jewelry was estimated to be worth $6 million.

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