Ten individuals, nicknamed the “grandpa robbers” by the French media, are set to face trial, accused of robbing American reality TV star Kim Kardashian of millions of euros in jewelry during Paris Fashion Week in 2016.
Ranging in age from 35 to 78, the suspects are slated to appear in a Paris court on Monday afternoon for a trial expected to last a month, during which Kardashian, aged 44, will testify in May.
In what might be the largest individual robbery in France in two decades, Kim Kardashian was tied up and held at gunpoint in her bedroom by armed intruders posing as police officers during the early hours of October 3, 2016. They escaped with jewelry estimated to be worth as much as €10 million.
Later recounting the ordeal on her reality show, Kardashian, now a billionaire influencer and entrepreneur, expressed fears of being raped and murdered by the masked gunmen who invaded her city-center rental suite.
The accused, primarily men in their 60s and 70s, have criminal pasts and bear old-school underworld monikers like Old Omar and Blue Eyes, reminiscent of French noir films from the 1960s and 70s. The prosecution contends they were armed, dangerous, and had meticulously orchestrated the heist after convening in a Paris bar.
At the time of the robbery, Kardashian was alone without security in her bedroom at a discreetly luxurious “no address” building frequented by celebrities.
Her bodyguard was escorting her sister, Kourtney Kardashian, to a Parisian nightclub following a day of fashion show appearances.
Kardashian often shared her daily activities and showcased her jewelry on social media, including a prominent 18.88-carat diamond engagement ring from then-husband Kanye West, valued at $4 million, which may have aided the criminals in planning their attack.
Allegedly, five men over 60, either on bicycles or on foot, masqueraded as police to access the building shortly after 2 a.m.
They are said to have held the concierge at gunpoint to lead them to Kardashian’s suite, where one brandished a firearm at her, demanding her engagement ring in heavily accented English, “The ring, the ring.”
Within minutes, they tied her up, gagged her, and escaped with the ring and other valuables.
In a 2020 interview with David Letterman, Kardashian shared her terror during the incident, fearing rape and murder and pleading for her life by mentioning her children and family.
“This is the time I’m going to get raped. I’m like: ‘What is happening? Are we going to die? Just tell them I have children. I have babies, I have a husband, I have a family,’” she said.
The incident has since generated extensive media attention and inspired several books in France.
After extensive investigations and DNA evidence at the crime scene, twelve individuals were initially charged; however, one has since died, and another will face trial separately due to health issues.
The ten now on trial in Paris are charged with armed robbery, criminal gang membership, and kidnapping, referring to Kardashian’s forced detainment. While some deny any involvement, others are accused of aiding in the robbery’s planning.
Yunice Abbas, 71, one of the accused, acknowledged his role, admitting to guarding the premises during the crime, as he shared on TF1 TV, labeling the group as “all grandads.”
In a separate statement to the Associated Press, Abbas expressed his intention to apologize sincerely.
Also on trial, Aomar Ait Khedache, known as Old Omar, 68, admitted his involvement but denies being the mastermind as alleged by prosecutors.
Others, including Gary Madar, the brother of Kardashian’s long-standing Paris driver, are accused of being informants, providing details of her whereabouts, though Madar denies these claims.
Kardashian’s attorney, Michael Rhodes, stated that the reality TV star and entrepreneur wants the trial “to proceed in an orderly fashion, in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case”.
Kim Kardashian is slated to testify on May 13, with the trial concluding on May 23.
