A trial has started in France over the 2016 heist in which armed robbers tied up Kim Kardashian and stole millions of dollars’ worth of jewellery during Paris Fashion Week.
The reality star turned business mogul was targeted during the early hours of 3 October 2016 while staying at the Hotel de Pourtales.
Kardashian is expected to testify in person at the Palais de Justice on 13 May.
The Palais de Justice. Pic: AP
Her lawyers said: “Ms Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time.
“She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities.”
Kim Kardashian’s Paris robbery trial: Everything you need to know
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Kim Kardashian robbery trial explained
The trial began with the selection of the jury of six citizens who will conduct the trial along with three magistrates – a procedure in France reserved for the most serious crimes.
There were initially 12 defendants in the case, but one person has since died and another has a medical condition that prevents their involvement.
Ten people – nine men and one woman – are currently standing trial.
Journalists inside the courthouse on Monday. Pic: AP
Five of the suspects – Yunice Abbas, Aomar Ait Khedache, Harminv Ait Khedache, Didier Dubreucq and Marc-Alexandre Boyer – are facing armed robbery and kidnapping charges.
The remaining five defendants – Gary Madar, Christiane Glotin, Francois Delaporte and Marc Boyer – are charged with complicity in the heist or the unauthorised possession of a weapon.
Two have acknowledged their participation. The others have denied it.
The group has been nicknamed “the grandpa robbers” in local media, owing to some of them being in their 60s and 70s.
The court heard how Kardashian told investigators she was taken to a bathroom and placed in the bathtub. Her attackers fled on bicycles or on foot, and she freed herself by removing the tape.
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She then rushed to her stylist’s room and called her sister Kourtney.
Kardashian told investigators that she had not been injured. She filed a complaint, adding that she wanted to leave France as soon as possible to be reunited with her children.
According to her testimony and that of the concierge, Abderrahmane Ouatiki, at least one suspect had a handgun with which he threatened the victims.
Lawyer Henri de Beauregard, representing Mr Ouatiki, said the intruders “were experienced, determined criminals who did not hesitate to threaten him while he was working nights to finance his studies”.
Abderrahmane Ouatiki, centre, was working as a hotel receptionist when he was allegedly held at gunpoint during the armed robbery. Pic: Ap
The robbers stole many pieces of jewellery estimated to be worth $6m, including Kardashian’s engagement ring.
Only one piece – a diamond cross on platinum that was lost during the suspects’ escape – has been recovered.
Two of the accused have partially confessed to the crime as their DNA was found at the scene.
Aomar Ait Khedache, 68, is one of two who allegedly entered the apartment.
Defendant Aomar Ait Khedache, left. Pic: AP
Nicknamed “Old Omar,” his genetic profile was found on the tape used to gag Kardashian.
Khedache’s lawyer, Franck Berton, said his client was pleading guilty because he acknowledges his participation and “will apologise, will actually explain how it happened, how he was contacted and finally how the events unfolded”.
Khedache, who is deaf, will answer the court’s questions in writing.
He is said to have left the hotel on a bicycle, as did two others, then reportedly met his son, who was allegedly waiting for him in a parked car at a nearby train station.
Yunice Abbas, 71, admitted tying up the concierge but denied going into Kardashian’s apartment.
He said he acted as a lookout in the ground floor reception area, making sure the escape route was clear.
Defendant Yunice Abbas. Pic: AP
Gabriel Dumenil, Abbas’ lawyer, said his client aims to “deliver his own truth and explain the reasons that prompted him to do this and simply perhaps also ask for forgiveness and express his remorse”.
Abbas was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision.
In 2021, he co-authored a French-language book titled “I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian”.
Didier Dubreucq, 69, known as “Blue Eyes”, is the second alleged robber suspected of entering the apartment.
He denies involvement, although he was filmed by CCTV cameras, and numerous telephone contacts with the other co-defendants show his involvement, according to the investigators.
The other defendants are suspected of providing information about Kardashian’s presence in the property or accused of playing a role in the reset of the jewellery in Antwerp, Belgium.
