In one of the most chilling and infamous robberies in recent history, a group of elderly criminals, nicknamed the “grandpa robbers” by the French media, is now facing justice in a Paris courtroom. The crime, which occurred in 2016, saw American reality TV star Kim Kardashian become the victim of a violent heist that shocked the world. The stolen jewellery, worth millions of euros, included priceless pieces such as a $4 million 18.88-carat diamond engagement ring, given to Kardashian by her then-husband, rapper Kanye West.
The trial, which began in Paris in late April 2025, has drawn immense media attention, with Kardashian herself expected to testify on May 13. The suspects, who range in age from 35 to 78, are facing serious charges including armed robbery, kidnapping, and participation in a criminal gang. The events surrounding this robbery and the subsequent investigation have captivated audiences around the world, shedding light on the motivations, planning, and aftermath of the audacious crime.
A Night of Terror for Kim Kardashian
The night of October 3, 2016, started out like any other for Kim Kardashian. She was in Paris for fashion week. The evening took a terrifying turn when a group of armed robbers entered her rented Paris apartment in the early hours of the morning.
Kardashian was alone in her suite, with her bodyguard accompanying her sister, Kourtney, to a nightclub. In the months leading up to the robbery, Kardashian had been very open about her whereabouts and daily activities on social media. She frequently posted photos of herself, her fashionable outfits, and her jewellery, including the iconic diamond ring. Many believe that these posts may have unwittingly made her a prime target for the thieves.
As Kardashian was resting in her room, five armed men dressed as police officers approached her building. They managed to overpower the concierge, forcing him at gunpoint to lead them to the celebrity’s suite. The robbers then stormed into the room where Kardashian was sleeping, and in a matter of minutes, the situation escalated into a terrifying hostage ordeal. One of the men, who spoke English with a strong French accent, demanded Kardashian’s engagement ring, shouting, “The ring, the ring.”
Kardashian, visibly frightened, was tied up and gagged as the robbers rifled through her personal belongings, stealing a vast amount of jewellery. The entire heist lasted less than 10 minutes, with the robbers escaping as quickly as they had arrived. They left Kardashian bound and traumatised in her apartment, alone and shaken by the terrifying experience.
Elderly Criminals with a Dark Past
The suspects involved in this high-profile heist are a group of mostly elderly men, some of whom are well-known in the French underworld. The robbers, who are predominantly in their 60s and 70s, have been accused of being part of a criminal gang that meticulously planned the heist after meeting several times in a Paris bar. Their involvement in the robbery has led to the media calling them the “grandpa robbers,” a nickname that has stuck, given their age and long criminal backgrounds.
Many of the suspects have prior convictions for robbery, and some have been linked to organised crime. They are alleged to have carefully planned the robbery, selecting their target after hearing about the unprotected diamond ring on the streets of Paris. The group’s planning was aided by information allegedly provided by people close to Kardashian, including her own Paris driver’s brother. Some of the suspects are said to have acted as facilitators, helping to gather intelligence about Kardashian’s whereabouts and schedule.
One of the most prominent figures in the trial is Yunice Abbas, a 71-year-old man who has admitted to his involvement in the robbery. Abbas, who had spent 20 years in prison for previous crimes, claimed that he was drawn into the heist due to financial struggles and the promise of a big payout. He explained that he had no knowledge of Kardashian’s identity prior to the crime, only being told that they were targeting the wife of a rapper. Despite his confession, Abbas maintains that he did not have any personal animosity toward Kardashian and views her as a victim of the crime.
Another key defendant in the trial is Aomar Ait Khedache, known as Old Omar. Khedache, who is 68 years old, has also admitted to his participation in the robbery but denies being the mastermind behind the operation. He has alleged that other members of the group were the ones responsible for orchestrating the crime. The trial will explore the various roles each suspect played and determine the extent of their involvement.
Kardashian’s Trauma and Media Frenzy
In the aftermath of the robbery, Kardashian was left not only with the physical marks of being bound and gagged but also with emotional scars that would take years to heal. She later opened up about the terror she experienced during the ordeal, revealing that she feared for her life. On a 2020 appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show, she recalled thinking, “This is the time I’m going to get raped. I’m like, ‘What is happening? Are we gonna die? Just tell them I have children. I have babies, I have a husband, I have a family.’”
The robbery also sparked an intense media frenzy, with paparazzi and news outlets covering every detail of the crime, its investigation, and its eventual trial. Books and documentaries were written, and discussions about the role of social media in attracting criminal attention became a hot topic. Kardashian’s willingness to share intimate details of her life with millions of followers has been seen by some as both a strength and a vulnerability, contributing to her being targeted by the robbers.
The long investigation into the heist, which involved the collection of DNA evidence from the crime scene, ultimately led to the arrest of twelve suspects. However, one suspect passed away before the trial could begin, and another has been excused from proceedings for health reasons. The trial, which has now begun in Paris, is expected to last a month, with Kardashian scheduled to testify on May 13, 2025. Her testimony will offer a first-hand account of the horror she endured during those crucial minutes when the robbers invaded her life.
The Trial
As the trial unfolds, ten suspects are facing charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, and belonging to a criminal gang. Some of the defendants are accused of playing key roles in planning and executing the heist, while others are facing accusations of facilitating the crime through their knowledge of Kardashian’s whereabouts.
The prosecution argues that the suspects had carefully planned the robbery and that they were armed and dangerous, willing to commit violence in order to achieve their goals. The defense, on the other hand, is expected to argue that their clients were either not as involved as the prosecution suggests or that they were acting out of desperation.
The case is not just about the theft of valuable jewellery but about the violation of a person’s safety and the trauma that can follow a violent crime. Kardashian’s lawyer, Michael Rhodes, has stressed that the reality TV star wants the trial to proceed in a fair and orderly manner, in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties involved. The outcome of this trial will not only decide the fates of the accused but also serve as a reminder of the dangers celebrities face in an era of pervasive social media.
