Eight people have been found guilty in connection with the infamous 2016 armed robbery of US reality TV star Kim Kardashian in Paris. This is nearly a decade after the audacious heist shook the fashion capital.
The gang stole jewellery valued at approximately $10 million (around R 190 million).
THE KIM KARDASHIAN ROBBERY INCIDENT
The stolen jewellery included a stunning diamond engagement ring worth about $4 million (R 76 million), a gift from her then-husband, Kanye West.
The robbery unfolded during Paris Fashion Week on the night of 3-4 October 2016. Five masked men disguised as police officers broke into Kardashian’s hotel suite at the Hotel de Pourtales.
They held her at gunpoint, tied her up with zip ties, and stole her jewellery collection, according to the BBC.
Kardashian later described the ordeal as “the most terrifying experience of my life” and recalled fearing for her life and even thinking she might be raped.
THE DELAYED COURT TRIAL
The Kim Kardashian robbery court trial, delayed by years of French legal procedures, concluded with four of the robbers receiving prison sentences of up to eight years.
However, most of these sentences were suspended due to the defendants’ advanced age and health issues.
French media dubbed the gang, many in their 60s and 70s, as the ‘Grandpa robbers’
The judge acknowledged the harm caused but ruled that imprisoning the elderly and infirm would be unjust.
SENTENCING ON THE CASE
The court sentenced Aomar Ait Khedache, 69, to eight years in prison, suspending five years.
Despite his conviction, he will not return to prison due to time already served and his disability, being deaf and mute.
Yunice Abbas, 71, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, received a seven-year sentence with five years suspended.
Other key members, including Didier Dubreucq and Marc-Alexandre Boyer, received similar sentences.
KIM KARDASHIAN TESTIFIES
During the trial, Kardashian testified for five hours, sharing harrowing details of the attack. She revealed how the robbers dragged her from her bed, tied her up, and threatened her with a gun.
She also spoke of her forgiveness towards Khedache after receiving a written apology from him. “I do appreciate the letter for sure.
I do appreciate it, I forgive you,” she told the court, though she acknowledged the trauma would linger.
MOVING FOREWARD
Kim Kardashian’s legal team expressed her desire to move on from the incident and continue her advocacy work. The work helps to improve the criminal justice system for victims and those seeking redemption.
“While I’ll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all,” Kardashian said in a statement after the verdicts.
Judge David De Pas summed up the court’s stance: “You did harm. But it would have been unjust to take you to prison this evening.”
The saga closes a dark chapter in Kardashian’s life but leaves a lasting impression on the intersection of celebrity, crime, and justice.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE LENIENT SENTENCES GIVEN TO THE ROBBERS?
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