The long-awaited Kim Kardashian heist trial officially opened in Paris on Monday, kicking off a dramatic court case nearly nine years after the shocking 2016 robbery during Paris Fashion Week.
Jury Selection Underway in Kim Kardashian Jewelry Robbery Case
On April 28, French prosecutors and defense lawyers selected jurors to oversee the high-profile Paris robbery case. Ten defendants stand accused of carrying out or assisting in the armed theft, where Kim Kardashian was held at gunpoint and robbed of $9 million in jewelry at the luxurious Hôtel de Pourtalès.
The defendants face serious charges, including:
- Armed robbery
- Criminal conspiracy
- Kidnapping
- Providing insider information
Because the maximum sentence exceeds 20 years, the trial will be decided by a jury instead of just judges, a rare occurrence in France.
The ‘Grandpa Robbers’: Who Are the Accused?
Nicknamed the “Grandpa Robbers” by French media due to their ages, several of the accused are in their 60s and 70s. The key figures in the Kim Kardashian jewelry robbery include:
- Aomar Ait Khedache (“Old Omar,” 69) – Alleged mastermind behind the heist
- Harminy (37) – Alleged getaway driver and Khedache’s son
- Didier “Blue Eyes” Dubreucq (69) – Suspected accomplice
- Gary Madar (35) – Brother of Kardashian’s Paris driver, accused of providing insider tips
- Christiane Glotin (78) – Only woman on trial, alleged planner
Tragically, one original suspect died before trial, and another, aged 80, had their case postponed due to medical reasons.
A Confession and a Controversial Book
One defendant, Yunice Abbas (72), has admitted to participating in the Kim Kardashian heist. In 2021, Abbas published “I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian,” where he detailed how he was recruited months before the robbery to target a “wife of an American rapper”—later revealed to be Kardashian herself.
His lawyer, Gabriel Dumenil, stated before the trial:
“He wants to explain himself, express his regrets, and speak his truth. He knows what is at stake.”
How the Paris Robbery Unfolded
Kim Kardashian, then 35, was staying in a private apartment often used by celebrities during Paris Fashion Week when five men, some on bicycles, infiltrated the building. They tied her up at gunpoint, locked her in a bathroom, and stole millions in jewelry, including her engagement ring from Kanye West.
Kardashian later described the terrifying moment on Keeping Up With the Kardashians, saying she feared for her life:
“I tried calling 911, but realized I didn’t know how to do it in another country.”
What’s Next for Kim Kardashian and the Trial?
Kim Kardashian is expected to testify in person on May 13. Her appearance will be crucial, as it could directly impact sentencing for those found guilty. Cameras are banned in French courtrooms, but journalists and sketch artists will capture the proceedings.
The Kim Kardashian heist trial is expected to last several weeks, bringing closure to one of the most infamous celebrity crimes of the decade.
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