The dramatic trial over the infamous 2016 Paris jewellery heist targeting Kim Kardashian has kicked off.
Ten suspects, ranging in age from their 30s to 70s, face charges including armed robbery, kidnapping, and conspiracy in what remains one of France’s most notorious thefts in decades.
THE PARIS ROBBERY
The robbery unfolded in the early hours of 3 AM on 3 October 2016, during Paris Fashion Week. Kim Kardashian was alone in her rented luxury apartment at the Hôtel de Pourtalès.
Masked men disguised as police officers stormed the premises, overpowering the guard and restraining Kardashian with zip ties and duct tape.
They held her at gunpoint, bound her hands and feet, and left her terrified in the bathtub. The gang made off with an estimated $10 million (approximately R190 million) worth of jewellery.
This included a $4 million (about R76 million) diamond engagement ring from then-husband Kanye West.
THE ‘KIM KARDASHIAN’ ROBBERY CASE
The trial’s opening days saw some of the accused, dubbed the “Grandpa Robbers” due to their advanced ages, take the stand.
Yunice Abbas, 71, who shockingly authored a memoir titled I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian, recounted fleeing the scene on a bicycle only to fall and drop a bag of jewels.
He admitted he left behind a $24,000 (around R456,000) diamond necklace on the street, which a passerby later found and handed over to police.
Gary Madar, the youngest defendant at 35, was questioned about allegedly tipping off the gang about Kardashian’s whereabouts, according to TMZ.
He denied involvement, despite his brother’s previous work for the Kardashian family, including as a driver during Kim and Kanye’s 2014 wedding in Italy.
Marc Boyer, 78, admitted to acting as a lookout and supplying the firearm used in the heist. He spoke candidly about exposing his son to a life of crime, as both face charges related to the robbery.
KIM KARDASHIAN SET TO TESTIFY
The courtroom drama has drawn significant attention, not only for the star power involved but also for the chilling details of the crime.
Kim Kardashian is scheduled to testify on 13 May, with the trial expected to conclude on 23 May. The reality star has described the ordeal as terrifying, recalling moments she feared for her life.
“They dragged me out to the hallway on top of the stairs, that’s when I saw the gun like clear as day,” she said on her show Keeping Up with the Kardashians. “It makes me so upset thinking about it”.
The case highlights the global reach of high-profile crime and the vulnerabilities even the most famous face.
A GRIPPING CRIME
It also underscores the importance of security and the harsh realities of criminal networks operating internationally.
As the trial unfolds, the world watches closely. The stolen jewels remain mostly unrecovered, and the $4 million diamond ring is still missing.
Paris, a city known for glamour and fashion, now finds itself the backdrop to a gripping tale of crime, courage, and justice.
The trial promises to reveal more secrets and perhaps some closure for Kim Kardashian and the millions following the saga worldwide.
DO YOU FIND IT SHOCKING THAT SOME OF THE ACCUSED WERE PROUD ENOUGH TO WRITE A BOOK ABOUT THE CRIME?
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