A French court has delivered its long-awaited verdict in the high-profile robbery of Kim Kardashian, which took place nearly a decade ago during Paris Fashion Week. Of the ten defendants, eight were found guilty and two were acquitted. Sentences handed down varied, with the ringleader, Aomar Ait Khedache, aged 69, receiving an eight-year sentence — although five years of that were suspended. Due to time already served in pre-trial detention, none of those convicted will face further prison time.
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The ages of the defendants, many of whom are in their 60s and 70s, played a significant role in the court’s decision not to impose harsher penalties. Chief Judge David De Pas also noted that the nine-year gap between the crime and the trial contributed to the leniency in sentencing. Despite the passage of time, the court acknowledged the trauma experienced by Kardashian, stating: “You caused harm. You caused fear.”
Kardashian was not present at the trial but issued a statement following the ruling. She expressed gratitude to French authorities and described the robbery as the “most terrifying experience” of her life. “While I’ll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability,” she said, adding that she remains committed to promoting justice and a fair legal system. Her legal team echoed her sentiment, noting that she looks forward to putting the incident behind her.
The robbery, committed by a group nicknamed “les papys braqueurs” (the grandpa robbers), saw the men disguised as police officers break into the Hotel de Pourtales and bind Kardashian before making off with millions of pounds worth of jewellery. A diamond-encrusted cross, dropped during the escape, was the only piece ever recovered. The case hinged on key forensic evidence, including Khedache’s DNA on the zip ties, and wiretaps that exposed the group’s coordinated effort to offload the stolen jewels in Belgium.
