Kim Kardashian has been at the center of one of the most high-profile robbery trials in recent years. Many of the defendants in the 2016 Kim Kardashian robbery case are now elderly and suffering from serious health conditions, prompting the French media to dub them the “grandpa robbers.” However, during court proceedings in Paris, prosecutors and civil parties strongly pushed back against this characterization, warning that it risks minimizing the gravity of the violent crime.
The trial, which began on 28 April, has drawn international attention. At the center is Kim Kardashian, who was the victim of a harrowing armed robbery while staying at the Hôtel de Pourtalès in central Paris. Kardashian testified last week, sharing an emotional and detailed account of being tied up and held at gunpoint in what she described as one of the most terrifying experiences of her life.
Prosecutor General Anne-Dominique Merville called for sentences that reflect the “seriousness” and “violence” of the crime, regardless of the defendants’ current age or medical condition. She reminded the jury that at the time of the robbery, the accused were not frail victims of age but experienced criminals. “They were seasoned robbers,” she stated firmly, cautioning against undue leniency.
The robbery took place during the early morning hours of 3 October 2016. A gang of five men broke into the luxury residence where Kardashian was staying for Paris Fashion Week. Two of them, disguised as police officers, forced the building’s night receptionist, Abderrahmane Ouatiki, to lead them to Kardashian’s suite. They then entered her room, bound her hands and feet, and pointed a gun at her while demanding access to her valuables. Among the items stolen were pieces of jewellery worth an estimated $10 million, including a $4 million engagement ring. None of the jewellery has been recovered.
Kim Kardashian Robbery Trial Nears Verdict in Paris Amid Emotional Testimony and Health Concerns
Two of the primary suspects, Aomar Ait Khedache, 69, and Yunice Abbas, 71, were tied to the crime scene through DNA evidence and have since confessed to participating. Khedache, who now suffers from multiple health conditions and is deaf and mute, admitted to entering Kim Kardashian’s room and restraining her but denied orchestrating the operation or using violence. His lawyers argued that incarceration would effectively serve as a life sentence due to his age and disability.
Abbas, who has Parkinson’s disease and underwent heart surgery recently, also confessed and expressed remorse. “I’m sorry for what I was capable of doing,” he told the court.
Other defendants include a former driver employed by the Kardashian family, accused of tipping off the robbers about Kim Kardashian’s whereabouts, and a man believed to have been the getaway driver. The former driver denies any wrongdoing.
Kim Kardashian, now 44, delivered five hours of testimony via an interpreter. Though composed for much of her appearance, she visibly struggled to hold back tears as she recounted the moments she believed she might be raped or . “I don’t wish that kind of terror on anyone,” she told the court. “Someone took away my memories.”
She also noted that one of the stolen items was a watch gifted to her by her late father, underscoring the emotional toll of the theft. “It wasn’t just jewellery,” Kim Kardashian said. “It was something irreplaceable.”
When the court president read aloud a letter of apology from Khedache, Kim Kardashian said she forgave him. However, she emphasized that forgiveness did not erase the lasting psychological scars caused by the attack.
The trial also featured emotional testimony from night receptionist Ouatiki, who was forced at gunpoint to assist the robbers. Since the heist, he has experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), left France, and abandoned his academic studies. His lawyer highlighted how victims without celebrity status often suffer in silence. “Not everyone can afford bodyguards to sleep better,” he said. “Justice should restore balance.”
A verdict is expected soon in this high-profile case that has captivated audiences around the world, not only because of Kim Kardashian’s fame but also due to the chilling and calculated nature of the crime. As the court prepares to announce its decision, many hope the outcome will bring some measure of closure to the victims and a strong statement against impunity.