The trial of ten suspects linked to the 2016 robbery of American star Kim Kardashian has started in Paris.
The suspects, most of them men in their 60s and 70s, are accused of stealing about $10 million worth of jewellery from the reality TV star.
Kim Kardashian, who is now 44 years old, is expected to testify at the trial on May 13. Her appearance is already being described as a major event.
The suspects have long criminal records and are known by old-school nicknames like “Old Omar” and “Blue Eyes”, similar to characters from French crime movies of the 1960s and 1970s.
Back in 2016, Kardashian was attending Paris Fashion Week when two masked men, armed with guns, broke into her hotel room at around 3:00 am. They threatened her by pointing a gun to her head, tied her up, and taped her mouth.
They stole a diamond ring worth $4 million, a gift from her ex-husband, American rapper Kanye West, along with other jewellery. The total value of the stolen items was around $10 million. Sadly, most of the jewellery was never recovered. Only a diamond necklace dropped by the robbers was found on the street.
It is believed that Kardashian’s social media posts about her jewellery and location helped the criminals plan the robbery. They struck when her bodyguard had stepped out to accompany her sister, Kourtney Kardashian, to a nightclub.
Police arrested the suspects three months later by using DNA evidence. They believe that most of the stolen jewellery was melted down and sold in Belgium.
Twelve people were initially charged, but only ten are on trial now. One of the suspects died in March this year, and another will be tried separately because of health problems.
One of the main suspects, Aomar Ait Khedache, 68, also known as “Old Omar,” admitted to tying up Kardashian but said the robbery was not violent.
“It wasn’t a major armed robbery,” he said. “It was an easy heist.”
Khedache also claimed he was approached by an unnamed sponsor who had an informant close to Kardashian. He said this informant helped give them the information they needed.
His lawyer said Khedache now has serious hearing and speaking problems and can only communicate in writing.
Another suspect, Didier Dubreucq, 69, nicknamed “Blue Eyes,” is accused of being the second man who entered Kardashian’s room. He has denied all charges.
Yunice Abbas, 71, who stayed in the hotel lobby during the robbery, later wrote a book titled *I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian*, trying to make money from the crime.
Among others on trial is Gary Madar, the brother of Kardashian’s longtime Paris driver. He is accused of giving information about her movements, though he denies it.
One of the defence lawyers, Margot Pugliese, warned that despite the “media hype,” the trial should be calm and focused.
The trial is expected to last until May 23.
