Introduction to the Kim Kardashian Jewelry Heist
A key defendant in the trial of a group accused of robbing Kim Kardashian at gunpoint in Paris in 2016 and stealing $9 million worth of jewelry, has said he has come to regret the trauma he caused the reality star-turned-business mogul in the years since.
Background of the Case
Yunice Abbas, perhaps the best-known defendant in the trial, said that despite a yearslong criminal history, this was the first time he had truly come to recognize the “trauma” he had caused his victim. “I regret it, not because I got caught, but because … there was a trauma,” Abbas, 72, said before a jury Tuesday as proceedings against the 10 people charged in connection with the 2016 robbery resumed after launching Monday afternoon.
Details of the Heist
The first of several defendants set to testify in the trial, Abbas had previously confessed to his role in the heist, detailing the robbery in his 2021 book, “I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian.” The matter of the book came up during the testimony, with Abbas saying that he was not responsible for the title and that he disputes his alleged role in the heist. He added that he was not involved in tying up Kardashian, who was staying in Paris for the city’s Fashion Week, instead staying downstairs to keep watch.
The Defendants
Abbas and nine others, dubbed the “grandpa robbers” in local media due to their ages — some of the accused are in their 70s and 80s — are alleged to have played a range of roles in the heist including holding Kardashian, 44, at gunpoint and being complicit in that crime. During questioning, Abbas described his criminal past — he has spent a total of almost 20 years in jail for various crimes — including the armed robbery of a bank in Belgium.
Abbas’s Testimony
He said that as a young man, he was fiercely opposed to theft, but had turned to a life of crime due to the bad influence of friends and money difficulties, in the hope it would prove an easier path. Abbas said his family had suffered because of his crimes, adding that he had “never had a role model” himself and he had done what he thought was needed to try to provide for his children. The accused spoke rapidly during his testimony, his arm shaking throughout, possibly due to the fact he is now suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
Aftermath of the Robbery
In the years since the 2016 robbery targeting Kardashian, Abbas said he now felt “very uneasy” with what happened that day. But, he said, “I can’t do anything besides apologize.” Kardashian had been staying at a private apartment complex in the French capital when five of the accused are alleged to have gained entry into the building and robbed her at gunpoint, taking items including her engagement ring from her then-husband Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West.
The Trial
The five other defendants are accused of related offenses, including planning and giving tipoffs on Kardashian’s whereabouts. In the years since, one defendant has died, while the case of another, age 80, has been separated from that of the other defendants due to medical issues. In addition to Abbas, those standing trial will include Aomar Ait Khedache, 69, known as “Old Omar,” who is alleged to have masterminded the robbery; his son, Harminy, 37, accused of being the getaway driver; Didier “Blue Eyes” Dubreucq, 69; and the brother of Kardashian’s driver in Paris, Gary Madar, 35, who is accused of tipping the others off on Kardashian’s whereabouts.
Conclusion
The trial of the defendants accused of robbing Kim Kardashian at gunpoint in Paris in 2016 is ongoing. Abbas’s testimony has provided insight into the mindset of one of the key defendants, and his regret for the trauma caused to Kardashian. The outcome of the trial is still uncertain, but it is clear that the robbery has had a lasting impact on all parties involved.
FAQs
- Q: What was stolen from Kim Kardashian during the 2016 robbery?
A: Approximately $9 million worth of jewelry, including her engagement ring from her then-husband Ye. - Q: How many defendants are standing trial in connection with the robbery?
A: 10 people are charged in connection with the 2016 robbery. - Q: What is the age range of the defendants?
A: Some of the accused are in their 70s and 80s, earning them the nickname “grandpa robbers” in local media. - Q: When is Kim Kardashian expected to appear in court?
A: May 13.
