Today, a French court is set to deliver a verdict in the case involving ten individuals charged with the audacious robbery of reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who was deprived of approximately $10 million worth of jewellery in Paris.
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Sparking significant public interest, the trial has seen nine men and one woman facing justice since April. Prosecutors are advocating for the maximum penalty of ten years in prison for the four men directly implicated in the robbery.
The incident occurred during the night of October 2-3, 2016, when Ms. Kardashian, then 35, was targeted while staying at a high-end hotel in central Paris. She was reportedly threatened with a firearm, bound, and had her mouth taped shut—an experience that would leave an indelible mark on her life.
Unfortunately, much of the stolen jewellery, including a diamond ring gifted by her then-husband, Kanye West, has yet to be recovered.
In a poignant statement, Kim Kardashian’s attorney, Michael Rhodes, addressed the media regarding the proceedings.
The defendants, now in their 60s and 70s, have gained the moniker “Grandpa Robbers” within the French press, with some bearing colorful nicknames like “Old Omar” and “Blue Eyes.”
During her testimony last week, Ms. Kardashian recalled the harrowing moment, expressing, “I thought I was going to die,” as the masked assailants held her at gunpoint, striking a nerve with the courtroom audience.
As a globally recognized figure on social media, she continues to draw massive public attention, with crowds gathering outside the historic Ile de la Cite courthouse in Paris, hoping for a glimpse of the celebrity.
On Wednesday, prosecutors reiterated their call for the maximum ten-year sentences for the four men accused, including the alleged mastermind of the operation.
Among them is the 69-year-old “Old Omar,” who candidly admitted to binding Ms. Kardashian but denied any mastermind involvement. Notably, after hearing an apology letter from him, she chose to express forgiveness, stating, “I forgive you for what has taken place, but it does not change the emotion, the feelings, the trauma, and the way my life changed.”
Interestingly, one of the accused even penned a book titled ‘I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian’, detailing the heist and a mishap that occurred during their escape. He shared that the experience opened his eyes and led him to regret his actions, confessing it was “one job too many.”
Defense attorneys have urged the jury to consider leniency, arguing, “At that age, a prison sentence is life imprisonment.” Their appeal stemmed from a desire to spare their aging clients the harsh realities of prison life.
Reflecting on the incident, Ms. Kardashian remarked that the robbery profoundly affected her sense of security, saying, “It changed the way that I felt safe at home,” which has now led her to employ up to six security guards for her protection.
Known for her rise to fame in the early 2000s through reality television, Ms. Kardashian has since expanded her brand into fashion and film, embodying the concept of being “famous for being famous.”
As the court awaits the verdict, one thing remains clear: the echoes of that fateful night have left an undeniable impact on Ms. Kardashian’s life.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
