Nearly a decade after the harrowing 2016 robbery that left Kim Kardashian bound and fearing for her life, a Paris court has delivered its verdict. Eight individuals, dubbed the “Grandpa Robbers” due to their advanced ages, were found guilty of orchestrating and executing the $10 million jewelry heist. However, none will serve additional prison time, as their sentences were either suspended or covered by time already served.
The Night That Shook the Celebrity World
On October 2, 2016, during Paris Fashion Week, Kim Kardashian was staying at the luxurious Hôtel de Pourtalès. In the early hours, five masked men, disguised as police officers, forced their way into her suite. They bound Kardashian with zip ties, gagged her, and locked her in the bathroom. The assailants made off with approximately $10 million worth of jewelry, including a $4 million engagement ring from then-husband Kanye West.
Kardashian later recounted the ordeal, stating she believed she was going to be raped and killed. “I absolutely thought that I was going to die,” she testified during the trial, adding, “I kept telling them that I have babies, and that I needed to go home to my babies.”
The Trial and Verdict
The trial, which concluded on May 23, 2025, saw ten individuals stand accused. Eight were found guilty, while two were acquitted. The ringleader, 69-year-old Aomar Aït Khedache, received an eight-year sentence, with five years suspended. Due to time already served and considerations of his age and health, he will not return to prison.
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Other key figures included:
- Yunice Abbas, 72, who admitted to his role and authored a book titled I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian, received a seven-year sentence, five of which were suspended.
- Didier Dubreucq and Marc-Alexandre Boyer, directly involved in the robbery, received similar sentences, also without further incarceration.
- Harminy Aït Khedache, the ringleader’s son and the group’s driver, was sentenced to five years, with four suspended.
- Christiane Glotin, Khedache’s former partner, received a four-year suspended sentence.
- François Delaporte and Marc Boyer were each sentenced to three years, also suspended.
The court cited the defendants’ advanced ages, health issues, and the prolonged delay since the crime as reasons for the leniency.
Kardashian’s Response
In a statement following the verdict, Kim Kardashian expressed her gratitude to the French authorities: “The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving a lasting impact on me and my family. While I’ll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all. I remain committed to advocating for justice and promoting a fair legal system.”
Her legal team, comprising Michael Rhodes, Léonor Hennerick, and Jonathan Mattout, lauded her courage in confronting her assailants and emphasized her desire to move forward while continuing her criminal justice advocacy work.
The Aftermath and Unanswered Questions
Despite the convictions, the majority of the stolen jewelry remains unrecovered. Only a diamond-encrusted cross, dropped during the escape, was found and returned. Investigations suggest that the rest of the loot may have been sold in Belgium.
The case has had a profound impact on celebrity security protocols. Kardashian, once known for her real-time social media updates, has since adopted a more cautious approach, emphasizing privacy and security.
A Turning Point
The trial’s conclusion marks a significant chapter in a case that captivated the world. While the sentences have sparked debate, the proceedings have provided a measure of closure for Kardashian and highlighted the evolving challenges of celebrity security in the digital age.
