In October 2016, Kim Kardashian was the victim of a shocking robbery in Paris. Armed men stole millions of dollars worth of jewelry from her during a terrifying incident that captured headlines worldwide. This robbery is considered one of the largest thefts from an individual in France in over two decades.
Now, nearly seven years later, the case is finally going to trial. Many are wondering why it took so long for this to happen. Kardashian is expected to testify, and the defendants, dubbed the "grandpa robbers," are facing serious charges.
The robbery occurred while Kardashian was in Paris for Fashion Week. At the time, she was staying at a discreet hotel known as the No Address Hotel, a favorite among celebrities. Her husband, Kanye West, had left to return to the U.S. for his tour, leaving Kardashian and her sister, Kourtney, in the apartment.
On the night of October 3, after attending a fashion show, Kardashian was alone in her suite when three masked men broke in around 2:30 AM. They threatened the concierge at gunpoint and forced him to lead them to Kardashian’s room. She was reportedly dozing off when the intruders entered. Kardashian later said she felt her social media posts had given the robbers a chance to target her.
The robbers tied her up and demanded her jewelry. They took a significant amount, including a $4 million diamond engagement ring, and escaped on bicycles with an estimated total worth of around $10 million. Kardashian managed to free herself after they left and sought help. She quickly returned to the U.S. and revamped her security team.
The stolen items included several expensive pieces, such as diamond bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and even her phone. Police recovered only one item, a diamond-encrusted cross that was dropped during the escape. Most of the jewelry was likely melted down or sold off.
As the trial begins, ten individuals are facing charges. Five of them, aged between 60 and 72 at the time of the robbery, are accused of armed robbery and kidnapping. One of the defendants, Yunice Abbas, has admitted to participating in the crime and even wrote a book about it. The others are charged with complicity or illegal possession of weapons. If convicted, they could face significant prison time.
Kardashian plans to testify, showing her respect for the French judicial system. She has spoken about how the robbery changed her life, leading her to reconsider her relationship with material possessions. She took a break from social media and has since been cautious about showcasing her wealth online.
The trial is set to begin on April 28 and will last about a month. With over 2,000 documents involved in the case, it promises to be a significant event in the ongoing saga of this high-profile robbery.