Prosecutors and defendants began selecting jurors Monday as French courts prepared for witness testimonies in the trial of ten people accused of stealing $9 million worth of jewelry at gunpoint from Kim Kardashian.
The trial marks the first day of proceedings related to the 2016 robbery of Kardashian, 44, who was held at gunpoint and robbed while staying in Paris for fashion week. Five of the accused allegedly arrived on bicycles and on foot, gained entry to Kardashian’s private apartment complex, and committed the robbery. The other defendants face charges for related offenses, including planning and providing information about Kardashian’s whereabouts.
French media has nicknamed the group “the grandpa robbers” due to several defendants being in their 60s and 70s. The case has experienced significant delays, with one defendant having died and another, aged 80, unable to stand trial due to medical issues.
The defendants include Aomar Ait Khedache, 69, known as “Old Omar,” who is accused of masterminding the plot; his son and alleged getaway driver, Harminy, 37; Didier “Blue Eyes” Dubreucq, 69; and Gary Madar, 35, the brother of Kardashian’s Paris driver, who allegedly provided information about her location. Among the accused is also 78-year-old Christiane Glotin, allegedly an accomplice in planning the heist.
At least one defendant, Yunice Abbas, now 72, has admitted to participating in the robbery. Abbas authored a 2021 book titled “I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian,” detailing his life story and account of the robbery. In it, he describes being recruited months before to rob an unnamed “wife of an American rapper,” only discovering Kardashian’s identity after the crime.
Abbas’ lawyer, Gabriel Dumenil, told NBC before entering court that his client wishes “to explain himself, to express himself, speak his truth, and express his regrets about this case. This is very important for him.” Dumenil added, “He knows what is at stake in this trial.”
In France’s judicial system, defendants in criminal cases don’t enter formal pleas but can admit or deny guilt as the trial proceeds. Most French cases are decided by judges, but since the maximum sentence exceeds 20 years, this case will be heard by a jury. French courts prohibit TV cameras, so journalists and sketch artists will document the proceedings.
Kardashian is scheduled to appear in court on May 13. She has previously described the robbery as a terrifying ordeal where she feared for her life. She recalled attempting to dial 911 when the men entered her room, saying, “I don’t know how to call 911 in a different country,” as recounted in a 2017 episode of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” She continued, “And then the guy came and grabbed the phone from me, threw me on the bed, and I was like, this is it.”
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