PARIS. A French court has convicted the majority of the suspects involved in the notorious 2016 armed robbery of U.S. reality TV star Kim Kardashian, in which masked men disguised as police tied her up at gunpoint and made off with an estimated $10 million in jewelry, including her $4 million engagement ring.
Ten individuals stood trial in Paris for their roles in the heist, which took place at a luxury private residence during Paris Fashion Week. A mixed panel of judges and jurors convicted eight of them for crimes directly linked to the robbery. One defendant was found guilty of illegal weapons possession, while another was acquitted.
The court handed the harshest penalties to five men who directly participated in the robbery. The alleged mastermind, Aomar Ait Khedache, 69, received a three-year prison sentence.
The thieves, many of whom were near or beyond retirement age, were dubbed by the press as the “grandpa robbers”. The heist remains one of the largest in France in over two decades.
Kardashian, who traveled to Paris earlier this month to testify, told the court she feared for her life during the ordeal. She described the robbery as “the most terrifying experience of my life,” saying it had left a “lasting impact” on both her and her family.
“I am deeply grateful to the French authorities for pursuing justice in this case. The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving a lasting impact on me and my family,” Kardashian said in a statement.
“While I’ll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all.”
Kardashian also revealed that she had forgiven Khedache, who had written her a letter of apology. During her testimony, she confirmed: “I forgave him.”
The robbery took place on October 3, 2016, when the assailants broke into Kardashian’s private residence in Paris, tied her up, and locked her in a bathroom. They stole several valuable items, including the engagement ring given to her by then-husband Kanye West (now known as Ye).
Kardashian’s legal team said she accepted the court’s ruling. The verdict brings a long-awaited sense of closure to a case that captivated global media and shook the celebrity world.
The court’s decision is seen as a significant moment in one of France’s most high-profile criminal trials in recent memory.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla#molongui-disabled-link
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla#molongui-disabled-link
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla#molongui-disabled-link
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla#molongui-disabled-link
