Eight individuals have been found guilty in connection with the armed robbery of millions of dollars’ worth of jewellery from Kim Kardashian in Paris nearly a decade ago.
In a shocking turn of events, eight individuals have been found guilty in connection with the armed robbery of millions of dollars’ worth of jewellery from US reality TV star Kim Kardashian in Paris nearly a decade ago. The heist took place during Paris Fashion Week in 2016, when Kardashian was staying at the ‘Hotel de Pourtales’ in central Paris.
Kim Kardashian is a media personality, socialite, model, businesswoman, and producer.
Born on October 21, 1980, in Los Angeles, California, she rose to fame with the reality TV show 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians.' The show premiered in 2007 and ran for 20 seasons.
Kim has also appeared in various other TV shows and films, including 'Kourtney and Kim Take Miami' and 'Disaster Movie.' She has been named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.
The Robbery
On the night between 3 and 4 October 2016, a gang of men made their way into the hotel, where they found Kardashian alone in her room. A DNA evidence match revealed that two individuals, Aomar Ait Khedache and Yunice Abbas, were involved in the crime. Both have since admitted to their role.
The stolen items included a diamond engagement ring worth millions of dollars. During the trial, Kardashian recounted the events of that evening, describing how she was bound and gagged by masked gunmen wearing police uniforms. She claimed to have feared for her life, but also revealed that she had forgiven Ait Khedache after receiving an apology letter from him.
The Sentencing
The four individuals directly involved in the heist received sentences ranging from seven years to eight years, mostly suspended due to time already served. Abbas was sentenced to seven years with five suspended, while Boyer received the same sentence. The others were given similar sentences but with varying levels of suspension.
Despite the severity of the crime, some have questioned whether the sentences handed down were lenient enough. Prosecutor General ‘Anne-Dominique Merville’ had urged the jury not to be swayed by the defendants’ age and health conditions, calling them ‘seasoned robbers’ when they carried out the heist. However, Judge David De Pas stated that considering their health conditions would have been unjust.
A Lasting Impact
The robbery left a lasting impact on Kardashian, who has since spoken about the experience and its effects on her life. In a statement after the verdicts, she expressed gratitude for forgiveness and healing, saying ‘I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all.’
