A French court is set to deliver its verdict today in the closely watched trial of ten individuals accused in the armed robbery of Kim Kardashian, an American reality TV star nearly nine years ago in Paris.
The defendants — nine men and one woman — have been on trial since April for their alleged roles in the 2016 heist, during which Kardashian was held at gunpoint and robbed of almost $10 million worth of jewelry at a luxury hotel in central Paris.
On the night of October 2–3, 2016, Kardashian, then 35, was bound, gagged, and threatened by masked intruders who stormed her private apartment. Among the stolen items was a 3.5 million euro diamond ring given to her by then-husband Kanye West. The incident was later described as France’s most significant robbery targeting a private individual in two decades.
Four defendants are accused of directly carrying out the robbery, and prosecutors have requested 10-year sentences for them, including the alleged mastermind, Aomar Ait Khedache, nicknamed “Old Omar.” Now 69 and nearly deaf, Khedache admitted to tying Kardashian up but denied being the leader. His legal team argues that imprisonment at his age would effectively be a life sentence.
Dubbed the “Grandpa Robbers” by French media due to their age and nicknames like “Old Omar” and “Blue Eyes,” the accused are reportedly seasoned members of France’s criminal underworld.
Earlier this month, Kardashian testified in court, describing the traumatic experience in detail: “I thought I was going to die.” Despite the lasting impact, she extended forgiveness to Khedache after his written apology was read in court. “I forgive you for what has taken place,” she said. “But it does not change the emotion, the feelings, the trauma, and the way my life changed.”
Yunice Abbas, another defendant, expressed remorse during the trial. Suffering from Parkinson’s disease, he called the heist “one job too many,” admitting it forced him to confront the consequences of his actions. Abbas previously wrote a book titled I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian.
Defense attorneys have urged the court to show leniency, citing the defendants’ age, health issues, and expressions of remorse.
The court will hear final statements from the accused this morning, with a verdict expected later today. The trial has drawn widespread international attention, with crowds gathering outside the Paris courthouse, hoping for updates or a glimpse of Kardashian.
In a symbolic development, Kardashian announced on Thursday that she had completed law school after six years — as the high-profile case that marked a turning point in her life comes to a close.
