Latest news with #AïtKhedache
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Daily Record
Kim Kardashian's Paris robbers found guilty after holding star at gunpoint
The men who held Kim Kardashian at gunpoint during her Paris robbery have been found guilty following a trial. Kim Kardashian's armed robbers have been found guilty after they held the reality star at gunpoint. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star, who recently became eligible to take the bar in order to become an attorney, came face to face with the men who burst into her Paris hotel room in October 2016, reports the Mirror. Ten people went on trial in the French capital for their involvement in the robbery and faced charges including armed robbery and kidnapping in an organised gang. During the terrifying incident, Kim, who was in Paris for Fashion Week, was tied up and held at gunpoint by the men. A six-member jury, led by three judges, came to a verdict today in Paris. They found the ringleader and seven others guilty, with two of the 10 defendants acquitted. While testifying, Kim, 44, bravely told the court she feared being raped. "I was certain that was the moment that he was going to rape me, I absolutely did think I was going to die," she said. Before the jury retired today, Aomar Aït Khedache, 70, who personally held Kim at gunpoint, begged the star for forgiveness. "I can't find the words to say how sorry I am. I offer a thousand apologies," he wrote on a piece of paper with his claims being displayed on a screen inside the Voltaire Chamber of the court. Prosecutor General Anne-Dominique Merville told the court that Aït Khedache should spend the next ten years of his life in prison. She said he was "now of a certain age and showed no risk of reoffending" but should "pay for his crimes." Ms Merville said Aït Khedache, who admitted taking part in the heist after his DNA was found at the scene, "now downplays the violence involved." Kim lost $10million worth of jewellery during the raid, including her $4million engagement ring from her ex-husband, Kanye 'Ye' West, which has not been recovered. While on trial, Aït Khedache denied being the mastermind behind the heisst, claiming that there was a mysterious "X or Ben," who should bare the responsibility. But Merville stated there was sufficient proof to suggest that he "gave the orders" before heading to Antwerp, Belgium, to sell the items. Yunice Abbas, 72, was also told he could face a ten-year jail sentence and has been the only other defendant to offer a guilty plea. While on remand, he wrote a book, I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian, which was given as a gift to the prosecutors. Speaking to the court, he said: "Once again, I have nothing but regrets to offer you, I'm sorry for what I did." Didier Dubreucq, 69, who was allegedly the second robber to enter Kardashian's residence in the city, along with Aït Khedache, who is also known as "Old Omar". Lesser sentences were requested for other members of the gang who, like Dubreucq, had all denied any wrongdoing. The entire gang were allowed to speak to the court for the final time before the jury retired on Friday. Meanwhile, Cathy Glotin, 78, who has been branded Aït Khedache's mistress, had continued to deny any wrongdoing. She told the court: "I had nothing to do with this case, and look forward to being reunited with my family." But it was heard that she offered "secretarial services" to the gang, which included providing burner phones. The gang could have been given 30-year sentences, but due to their ages and poor health, they were offered lesser sentences. The majority of the defendants were jailed in January 2017, just three months after the robbery. They were subsequently released on bail. If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999 Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Huge Kim Kardashian's Paris robbery trial update as jury deliver verdict
Kim Kardashian's armed robbers have been found guilty. The reality star, who recently became eligible to take the bar in order to become an attorney, came face to face with the men who burst into her Paris hotel room and held her at gunpoint in October 2016. Ten people went on trial in the French capital for their involvement in the robbery and faced charges including armed robbery and kidnapping in an organised gang. During the terrifying incident, Kim, who was in Paris for Fashion Week, was tied up and held at gunpoint by the men. A six-member jury, led by three judges, came to a verdict today in Paris. They found the ringleader and seven others guilty, with two of the 10 defendants acquitted. While testifying, Kim, 44, bravely told the court she feared being raped. "I was certain that was the moment that he was going to rape me, I absolutely did think I was going to die," she said. Before the jury retired today, Aomar Aït Khedache, 70, who personally held Kim at gunpoint, begged the star for forgiveness. "I can't find the words to say how sorry I am. I offer a thousand apologies," he wrote on a piece of paper with his claims being displayed on a screen inside the Voltaire Chamber of the court. Prosecutor General Anne-Dominique Merville told the court that Aït Khedache should spend the next ten years of his life in prison. She said he was "now of a certain age and showed no risk of reoffending" but should "pay for his crimes." Ms Merville said Aït Khedache, who admitted taking part in the heist after his DNA was found at the scene, "now downplays the violence involved." Kim lost $10million worth of jewellery during the raid, including her $4million engagement ring from her ex-husband, Kanye 'Ye' West, which has not been recovered. While on trial, Aït Khedache denied being the mastermind behind the heisst, claiming that there was a mysterious "X or Ben," who should bare the responsibility. But Merville stated there was sufficient proof to suggest that he "gave the orders" before heading to Antwerp, Belgium, to sell the items. Yunice Abbas, 72, was also told he could face a ten-year jail sentence and has been the only other defendant to offer a guilty plea. While on remand, he wrote a book, I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian, which was given as a gift to the prosecutors. Speaking to the court, he said: "Once again, I have nothing but regrets to offer you, I'm sorry for what I did." Didier Dubreucq, 69, who was allegedly the second robber to enter Kardashian's residence in the city, along with Aït Khedache, who is also known as "Old Omar". Lesser sentences were requested for other members of the gang who, like Dubreucq, had all denied any wrongdoing. The entire gang were allowed to speak to the court for the final time before the jury retired on Friday. Meanwhile, Cathy Glotin, 78, who has been branded Aït Khedache's mistress, had continued to deny any wrongdoing. She told the court: "I had nothing to do with this case, and look forward to being reunited with my family." But it was heard that she offered "secretarial services" to the gang, which included providing burner phones. The gang could have been given 30-year sentences, but due to their ages and poor health, they were offered lesser sentences. The majority of the defendants were jailed in January 2017, just three months after the robbery. They were subsequently released on bail.
Pink Villa
23-05-2025
- Pink Villa
Will Kim Kardashian's USD 10M Paris Robbery Suspect Walk Free? Jury Reconsiders Verdict After Surprise Mercy Plea
The jury in Kim Kardashian's Paris robbery trial has retired to consider its verdict after a key defendant made a last-minute plea for forgiveness. Aomar Aït Khedache, known as Old Omar, offered 'a thousand apologies' to Kim Kardashian before the jury withdrew on May 23. 'I can't find the words to say how sorry I am,' Aomar Aït Khedache wrote on a piece of paper, which was shown in court. Now partially deaf and almost mute due to poor health, he begged for forgiveness, adding, 'I offer a thousand apologies.' Aït Khedache is one of 10 people, nine men and one woman, on trial in the French capital for their roles in the 2016 armed robbery. The charges include armed robbery and kidnapping in an organised gang, as per DailyMail. Kim Kardashian lost around USD 10 million in jewellery during the October 2016 robbery. The stolen items included a USD 4 million engagement ring from her ex-husband, rapper Kanye West. That ring has never been recovered. The incident took place inside her private apartment at the No Address Hotel in Paris. Kardashian testified via video during the trial and said she feared for her life. When Judge David De Pas asked if she thought she would die, she replied, 'Absolutely, I was certain I was going to die.' Prosecutor General Anne-Dominique Merville requested a 10-year prison sentence for Aït Khedache, stating that although he was of an advanced age and not considered a risk to reoffend, he still needed to be held accountable for his crimes. She also stated that Khedache, whose DNA was found at the scene, was minimizing the level of violence involved in the robbery. A similar 10-year sentence was sought for 72-year-old Yunice Abbas, the only other defendant to plead guilty. While in custody, Abbas wrote a book titled I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian, which prosecutors used as evidence in the trial. Addressing the court, he expressed his regret and apologized for his actions. Didier Dubreucq who allegedly entered Kardashian's apartment with Aït Khedache, also faces a 10-year sentence as reported by DailyMail. Lesser sentences were requested for the remaining members of the group, nicknamed the Grandpa Robbers due to their age. One female defendant, Cathy Glotin, previously Aït Khedache's mistress, denied any involvement. 'I had nothing to do with this case and look forward to being reunited with my family,' she said. Prosecutors believe she helped provide burner phones and traveled to Antwerp with Aït Khedache to sell stolen jewellery.
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Kim Kardashian robbery gangster begs star for forgiveness ahead of verdict
The veteran gangster who held Kim Kardashian up at gunpoint and left her thinking she would die today offered 'a thousand pardons' to the reality TV star. Aomar Aït Khedache, 69, begged for forgiveness on Friday, just before a jury in Paris retired to consider a verdict in the case. A total of nine men and a woman are in the dock at the French capital's Assizes court, accused of a variety of charges, including 'armed robbery' and 'kidnap in an organised gang'. 'I can't find the words to say how sorry I am,' were the words of Aït Khedache, who is now almost mute and partially deaf following years of ill health. "I offer a thousand apologies," he scribbled on a piece of paper, before his claims were displayed on a screen inside the historic Voltaire Chamber of the court. Ms Kardashian, who is now 44, lost $10million-worth of jewellery in the October 2016 raid, including a $4million engagement ring from her ex-husband, the rapper Kanye West, that has never been recovered. Prosecutor General Anne-Dominique Merville told the court that Aït Khedache – who has multiple convictions for drugs running and robbery – should spend the next 10 years in prison. She said he was "now of a certain age and showed no risk of reoffending" but should "pay for his crimes." Ms Merville said Aït Khedache, who admitted taking part in the heist after his DNA was found at the scene, "now downplays the violence involved." During an emotional testimony to the court last week, Ms Kardashian said she had feared she would not survive the raid. Trial judge David De Pas asked her directly during court questioning: "Did you think you were going to die, Madam?" She replied: "Absolutely, I was certain I was going to die." Aït Khedache denied being the mastermind of the heist, saying there was a mysterious 'X or Ben' who was ultimately responsible. But Ms Merville said there was ample proof that Aït Khedache 'gave the orders', and then went to Antwerp, Belgium, to try and sell the swag. A 10-year prison sentence was also requested for Yunice Abbas, 72, and the only other defendant to plead guilty. While on remand, Abbas wrote a book called I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian, which became a gift to prosecutors. During his own last words to the court on Friday, Abbas said: "Once again, I have nothing but regrets to offer you; I'm sorry for what I did." The same sentence was requested for Didier Dubreucq, 69, who was allegedly the second robber to enter the Kardashian's penthouse, along with Aït Khedache, who is also known as 'Old Omar'. Lesser sentences were requested for other members of the gang who, like Dubreucq, had all denied any wrongdoing. All of them were allowed to address the court for the last time today, before the jury retired. Most of the key defendants are in their 60s and 70s, meaning they have been dubbed the 'Grandpa Robbers'. There is one woman defendant – Cathy Glotin, 78, who was once Aït Khedache's mistress. She has continually pleaded her innocence, saying on Friday: "I had nothing to do with this case, and look forward to being reunited with my family." But the veteran criminal is said to have provided 'secretarial services' to the gang, including providing burner phones. Glotin also travelled to Antwerp – the diamond capital of Europe – with Aït Khedache to sell the swag, the prosecution claims. It could have asked for sentences of up to 30 years, but the defendants' ages and poor health are the reasons for relatively low ones been requested. The vast majority of defendants were imprisoned in January 2017, three months after the robbery. But then they were released on bail, meaning they were all free when the trial started in April. Ms Kardashian was not in court today, but her lawyers said she was following proceedings from her home in Los Angeles. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star qualified as an attorney this month, following six years of study. She said she wanted to 'fight for justice', including for defendants in criminal trials. Her late father, Robert Kardashian Junior, famoulsy defended actor at his murder trial in 1995. During the Paris trial, Ms Kardashian accepted an emotional apology from the gang ringleader, Aït Khedache. The trial continues, and a verdict is expected on Friday evening.
The Guardian
30-04-2025
- The Guardian
‘Grandpa robber' admits involvement in Kim Kardashian jewel heist
A retired restaurant-owner alleged to have been the ringleader of an armed robbery of American reality TV star Kim Kardashian in Paris, has told a court he was in part driven by a taste for easy money. Aomar Aït Khedache, 68, known as 'Old Omar', has admitted to police that he took part in the robbery in which Kardashian was tied up and held hostage at gunpoint in her Paris hotel bedroom during Paris fashion week in 2016. But he has denied the prosecution's accusation that he was the organiser or ringleader of the jewel heist in the early hours of 3 October 2016, which was the biggest robbery of an individual in France in 20 years. The robbers, dressed as police officers, escaped with up to an estimated $10m (£7.5m) in jewellery, including a 18.88-carat diamond engagement ring given to Kardashian by her then husband, the rapper Kanye West, estimated to be worth $4m. Aït Khedache is part of a group five men aged over 60 who allegedly went to Kardashian's Paris hotel by bike or on foot for the hold-up, and who French media have nicknamed 'the grandpa robbers'. Like several other accused men, he has serious health problems. He is deaf and cannot speak, so he read the court's questions on a typed transcript, writing his answers with a pen and paper, projected onto a screen. The court heard that Aït Khedache, who ran restaurants in France and Spain, had served several prison sentences for robbery from the 1970s. The lead judge, referring to Aït Khedache's past convictions, asked him why he turned to crime. He replied that he did not know, saying it was largely due to keeping bad company. Asked by the judge whether he was driven by a taste for easy money, Aït Khedache wrote: 'Not particularly, but that too.' The court heard that at the time of the jewel heist, Aït Khedache was already a wanted man, living under a stolen identity in order to escape prison for a drug-trafficking conviction from 2010. A total of 10 people, aged from 35 to 78, are on trial over their alleged part in the Kardashian robbery. Eight deny involvement. One of the accused is Aït Khedache's eldest son, Harminy, who is alleged to have been a getaway driver. Harminy Aït Khedache, who had previously worked as an Uber driver, has denied involvement in the robbery. He told police he had been asked by his father to collect him one night in Paris, something he often did, and that he knew nothing of the heist. The court heard that Aomar Aït Khedache was born in Algeria and arrived in France as a young child. He and his nine siblings were 'paralysed by fear' of their violent father. The older Aït Khedache was convicted for robbery for the first time 1977, and while he was in prison for 10 months, his pregnant wife died in a fire. Aït Khedache had a psychiatric breakdown over her death and received electric shock therapy, which he said caused the start of his hearing problems. Later he met a woman with a young baby, Harminy. He married her, adopted Harminy, and had another son, Haris. Harminy Aït Khedache, in his early 40s, broke down in tears in court on Tuesday. He said he had found out from a relative when he was aged six that Aomar wasn't his biological father but had been scared of asking his parents for details for fear of upsetting them. He said he considered Aomar his father and had always wanted to please him. He told the judge that, in general: 'I wanted to show that I'm devoted to him.' Haris Aït-Khedache, 39, a bus driver, was called as a character witness for his father. He said of his father's role in the robbery: 'He made a mistake. He found himself in a situation where he didn't have the choice, I think.' He said his father had said that the victims 'must have been traumatised' and that he 'regrets the repercussions of this'. The trial continues.
