PARIS (AP) — A trial started Monday in Paris over the 2016 heist by which armed robbers tied up Kim Kardashian in her bed room and stole hundreds of thousands of {dollars}’ value of jewellery throughout Trend Week.
Ten folks, 9 males and a lady, are on trial on costs of theft and kidnapping of the media character and the concierge of the residence the place she was staying on the night time of Oct. 2, 2016. Two of them acknowledged their participation and the others denied it.
The trial started with the collection of the jury of six residents who will conduct the trial together with three magistrates — a process in France reserved for essentially the most severe crimes.
In interviews and on her household’s actuality TV present, Kardashian has described being terrified, considering she was going to be raped and killed when criminals broke into her bed room and pointed a gun at her.
Her attorneys stated she’s going to testify in particular person on the trial that’s scheduled to run by means of Might 23. She is predicted to talk on Might 13.
“Ms. Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court docket and jury and doesn’t want to elaborate additional at the moment,” they stated. “She has nice respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been handled with nice respect by the French authorities.”
In a 2020 look on David Letterman’s Netflix present, Kardashian tearfully recalled considering: “That is the time I’m going to get raped. I’m like, ‘What is going on? Are we gonna die? Simply inform them I’ve youngsters. I’ve infants, I’ve a husband, I’ve a household.’”
Twelve folks have been initially anticipated within the defendants’ field. One has died and one other is critically unwell and may’t be tried. In response to 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 principle defendants are older and have been financial institution robbers with lengthy felony information.
Kardashian advised investigators she was taken to a toilet and positioned within the bathtub. Her attackers fled on bicycles or on foot, and he or she freed herself by eradicating the tape.
She rushed to her stylist’s room and known as her sister Kourtney. Shortly afterward, Kardashian advised investigators that she had not been injured. She filed a grievance, including that she needed to depart France as quickly as doable to be reunited along with her youngsters.
In response to her testimony and that of the concierge, a minimum of one suspect had a handgun with which he threatened the victims.
The gangsters stole many items of jewellery, together with a hoop estimated to be value greater than $6 million. Just one piece — 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 scene.
The alleged ringleader, 68-year-old Aomar Aït Khedache, is one in all two suspected robbers who allegedly entered the residence. Nicknamed “Previous Omar,” his genetic profile was discovered on the tape used to gag Kardashian.
Khedache, who’s deaf, will reply the court docket’s questions in writing.
He left the resort on a bicycle, as did two others, then met his son, who was ready for him in a parked automobile at a close-by prepare station.
One other stated he tied up the concierge with cables however didn’t go as much as Kardashian’s residence. Yunice Abbas, 71, stated he acted as a lookout within the floor ground reception space, ensuring the escape route was clear. He stated he was unarmed and didn’t personally threaten Kardashian, however admitted he shared accountability 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 guide titled “I Sequestered Kim Kardashian.”
Didier Dubreucq, 69, often known 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 accordance with the investigation.
The opposite defendants are suspected of offering details about Kardashian’s presence within the residence. Others are accused of enjoying a task within the resale of the jewellery in Antwerp, Belgium.
