The morning after the audacious heist, Yunice Abbas, one of the main suspects, returned home to a life-changing news story. On the television, headlines blared about reality star Kim Kardashian, who had just been tied up and robbed at gunpoint in her Paris apartment, losing around $10 million in jewelry, including a $4 million engagement ring from Kanye West. Little did Abbas know, his actions were about to unravel into an international saga.
The 62-year-old burglar, who had a history of crime, saw the Kardashian robbery as his final job before retirement. However, clumsy mistakes from both the robbers and Kardashian's security led to a blunder that would come back to haunt the elderly gang. By early 2017, less than three months after the robbery, Abbas and several accomplices were arrested. Now, a trial set to last nearly three weeks will put ten of these aging thieves in the French courtroom spotlight.
The group, referred to as the "grandpa robbers" by the French media, includes Abbas and another man, Aomar Ait Khedache, who have confessed to the crime. Yet, other defendants have remained mum. One of the original suspects has since passed away, and another, 81, will not stand trial due to advanced dementia. As the trial begins, nearly nine years will have lapsed since that fateful night in October 2016.
That night, disguised as police officers, Abbas and several accomplices stormed Kardashian's Hotel de Pourtalès suite, where she was unwinding after a grueling Paris Fashion Week. With an Algerian night receptionist held at gunpoint as their translator, the robbers managed to steal her valuables amidst panic. Kardashian, not realizing the extent of the threat, had attempted to reach for help, only to be brutally restrained and left alone in a bathroom.
When the robbery became the focus of breaking news, Abbas learned the identity of their victim from his wife. Even as details unfolded regarding Kardashian's life online, it sparked the inquiry into how the gang got the information about her activities. Allegations arose that a transportation operator linked to the Kardashians might have leaked information, but he continues to deny wrongdoing.
This unraveling case has presented many facets to the media, from the mistaken confidence of the 'grandpa robbers' to Kardashian's eventual change in lifestyle and public sharing. The sheer contrast between the culprits and their target, a global icon, paints a surreal picture that has captured public interest.
As the trial progresses, the fate of the robbers will be closely monitored, while Kardashian herself is expected to take the stand as a witness. This courtroom drama promises to resonate beyond legal proceedings, highlighting the intersection of celebrity culture and crime in today’s world.
