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Paris Court Finds “Grandpa Robbers” Guilty in Kim Kardashian Heist, But No Prison Time
A Paris court delivered a mixed verdict Friday in the 2016 robbery of Kim Kardashian, finding the ringleader and seven others guilty but opting not to impose any further prison time. Two of the ten defendants were acquitted.
Aomar Aït Khedache, 69, the mastermind of the heist, received the harshest sentence of eight years, five of which were suspended. Three other defendants received seven-year sentences, also with five years suspended. Due to time already served awaiting trial, none will return to prison.
Presiding Judge David De Pas cited the advanced age of the defendants, some in their 60s and 70s, and the nine-year gap between the crime and the trial as mitigating factors in the sentencing. He acknowledged the trauma Kardashian endured, stating the robbers “caused harm” and “caused fear.”
In a statement following the verdict, Kardashian expressed gratitude to French authorities and described the robbery as “the most terrifying experience of my life.” While acknowledging the lasting impact on her and her family, she expressed her belief in “the power of growth and accountability.”
Khedache, using a cane and shielding his face from cameras, attended the proceedings. His DNA, discovered on the restraints used on Kardashian, proved crucial to the investigation.
Wiretaps revealed him organizing the robbery, recruiting accomplices, and planning the sale of the stolen diamonds in Belgium. Only one piece, a diamond-encrusted cross dropped during the escape, was ever recovered.
The robbery, which occurred during Paris Fashion Week on October 2, 2016, saw the perpetrators, disguised as police, force their way into Kardashian’s hotel room, restrain her with zip ties, and make off with millions of dollars worth of jewelry. The incident, dubbed the “Grandpa Robbers” heist, prompted a reassessment of security practices among celebrities.
During the trial, Khedache attempted to shift blame to a fictitious individual, while his lawyer appealed for leniency, highlighting Kardashian’s earlier courtroom forgiveness of the ringleader. Kardashian, while not present for the verdict, had previously acknowledged Khedache’s apology but emphasized the lasting trauma of the event.
Kardashian’s earlier testimony detailed the terrifying ordeal, recounting being bound, threatened with a gun, and fearing for her life. She described Paris as a former sanctuary, a perception shattered by the robbery, which led her and other celebrities to re-evaluate their public image and social media practices. The case, delayed for years within France’s judicial system, ultimately concluded with a verdict that balances accountability with the passage of time.