PARIS — PARIS (AP) — Kim Kardashian thought she was going to be raped and killed when criminals broke into her bed room in central Paris, tied her up and stole greater than $6 million in jewellery.
Greater than eight years later, 10 individuals will go on trial in Paris over the theft, abduction and kidnapping of the media persona and the concierge of the residence the place she was staying throughout Paris Trend Week the evening of Oct. 2, 2016.
Kardashian’s legal professionals mentioned she is going to testify in particular person on the trial beginning Monday and scheduled to run by way of Might 23.
“Ms. Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court docket and jury and doesn’t want to elaborate additional right now,” they mentioned. “She has nice respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been handled with nice respect by the French authorities. She needs the trial to proceed in an orderly vogue, in accordance with French legislation and with respect for all events to the case.”
In interviews and on her household’s actuality TV present, Kardashian has described being terrified as robbers pointed a gun at her.
In a 2020 look on David Letterman’s Netflix present, she tearfully recalled considering: “That is the time I’m going to get raped. I’m like, ‘What is occurring? Are we gonna die? Simply inform them I’ve kids. I’ve infants, I’ve a husband, I’ve a household.’ ”
Twelve individuals have been initially anticipated within the defendants’ field. Certainly one of them has died and one other is critically unwell and cannot be tried. In line with the investigation, 5 of the ten defendants have been current on the scene of the theft.
The French press has dubbed them The Granddad Robbers as a result of the primary defendants are aged and have careers as financial institution robbers with lengthy felony information.
Kardashian informed investigators she was taken to a toilet subsequent to her bed room and positioned within the bathtub. Her attackers fled on bicycles or on foot and she or he managed to free herself by eradicating the tape from her arms and mouth.
She had additionally eliminated the tape from her toes and rushed to her stylist’s room. She referred to as her sister Kourtney to inform her in regards to the theft. Shortly afterward, Kardashian informed investigators that she had not been injured. She filed a grievance, including that she wished to depart France as quickly as potential to be reunited along with her kids.
In line with her testimony and that of the concierge, not less than one of many suspects had a handgun, with which he threatened the victims.
The gangsters stole many items of knickknack, together with a hoop of nice worth, estimated to be price greater than $6 million. Just one piece of knickknack — a diamond cross on platinum that was misplaced in the course of the suspects’ escape — has been recovered.
Two of the accused have partially confessed to the crime, as their DNA was discovered on the crime scene.
The alleged ringleader, 68-year-old Aomar Aït Khedache, is considered one of two suspected robbers who allegedly entered the condominium. Nicknamed “Previous Omar,” his genetic profile was discovered on the tape used to gag Kardashian.
He left the lodge on a bicycle, as did two different robbers, then met his son, who was ready for him in a parked automotive at a close-by practice station.
The second robber mentioned he tied up the concierge with cables however didn’t go as much as Kardashian’s condominium. Yunice Abbas, 71, mentioned he acted as a lookout within the floor flooring reception space, ensuring the escape route was clear. He mentioned he was unarmed and didn’t personally threaten Kardashian, however admitted he shared duty for the crime.
Abbas was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in jail earlier than being launched below judicial supervision. In 2021, he co-authored a French-language e book titled “I Sequestered Kim Kardashian.”
Didier Dubreucq, 69, referred to as “Blue Eyes,” is the second alleged robber suspected of coming into the flat. He denies any involvement though he was filmed by CCTV cameras and quite a few phone contacts with the opposite co-defendants present his involvement, in keeping with the investigation.
The opposite defendants are suspected of offering details about Kardashian’s presence within the condominium. Others are accused of enjoying a task within the resale of the jewellery in Antwerp, Belgium.
