Eight French individuals, dubbed the “grandpa robbers,” have been found guilty of the 2016 kidnapping and robbery of Kim Kardashian in Paris. A Paris courtroom recently delivered guilty verdicts to all but two of the ten defendants, consisting of nine men and one woman. The group was responsible for an elaborate heist that involved restraining the celebrity influencer with zip ties and making off with $9 million worth of her jewelry, including a diamond engagement ring from her then-husband, Kanye West.
Prosecutors had requested 10-year sentences for the suspects, most of whom were in their late 50s and 60s at the time of the crime. The case was cracked with the help of DNA evidence and wiretaps, leading to the arrest of the accused, who became known in France as the “les papys braqueurs” or the grandpa robbers.
After years of delays in court proceedings, most of the robbers are now in their late 60s and 70s, battling illnesses such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s. One suspect passed away before the trial, while the alleged mastermind, Aomar Aït Khedache, communicates with the court through written notes as he is deaf.
During the trial, the 44-year-old Kardashian provided compelling testimony about the harrowing ordeal, where she was bound and threatened with a gun. Despite the trauma she faced, Kardashian appeared resilient in court, in stark contrast to the vulnerability she displayed during her testimony.
Khedache, a seasoned criminal in the Paris underworld, orchestrated the heist, with his DNA found on the zip ties used to restrain Kardashian. Wiretaps revealed his involvement in giving orders, recruiting accomplices, and planning to sell the stolen diamonds in Belgium. However, the stolen loot was never recovered.
In a surprising turn of events, Khedache shifted the blame to a non-existent accomplice known as “X” or “Ben,” claiming he was merely following orders. As the trial concluded, Khedache and other defendants expressed remorse for their actions, with Khedache asking for forgiveness through a written note, as reported by French media.
The trial brought closure to a traumatic event for Kardashian, who testified about fearing for her life and the safety of her children during the robbery. Despite the emotional toll, Kardashian’s resilience and strength shone through as she recounted the terrifying experience and faced her assailants in court.
