Latest news with #ISequesteredKimKardashian
Epoch Times
29-04-2025
- Epoch Times
Trial in Paris Takes Off for Kim Kardashian 2016 Jewel Heist
A trial began Monday in Paris over the 2016 heist in which a group of robbers dubbed the 'grandpa gang' allegedly tied up Kim Kardashian in her bedroom during Fashion Week and stole millions of dollars' worth of jewelry. The accused, who were all over the age of 60 at the time, appeared one after the other in the central Paris courtroom to confirm their identity and occupation—many of them saying they were retired. With the stolen jewels' value estimated at $6 million, the robbery was considered the biggest heist targeting an individual that Paris had seen in decades. The trial, which is scheduled to run through May 23, is expected to draw public attention. Kardashian is expected to testify in person at the trial on May 13. 'Ms. Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time,' Kardashian's lawyers said. 'She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities.' In interviews and on her family's reality TV show, Kardashian has described being terrified, thinking she would be raped and killed when criminals broke into her bedroom and pointed a gun at her. Kim Kardashian attends the 2022 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at Washington Hilton in Washington on April 30, people—nine men and one woman—will be standing trial. Of the ten accused, five face armed robbery and kidnapping charges and potentially face being sentenced to life imprisonment. The others have been charged with complicity in the heist or illegal possession of a weapon. Related Stories 4/16/2025 3/5/2025 Yunice Abbas, 71, is only one of two who have admitted their participation in the robbery—he even published a book about the crime called, 'I Sequestered Kim Kardashian.' Abbas admitted he tied up the hotel concierge and stayed behind at the ground floor reception area as a lookout. He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian, but acknowledged he shared responsibility for the crime. The earnings from his book have been frozen pending the outcome of the trial. He was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision. Yunice Abbas, one of the men accused in the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian, reacts during an interview with The Associated Press in Paris on April 22, 2025. Thibault Camus/AP Photo Tied Up With Plastic Cables and Tape According to the investigation, the robbers allegedly held the concierge of the luxury building at gunpoint and forced the person to lead them into Kardashian's hotel room. Kardashian recalled the experience in a 2020 interview on Late Show with David Letterman, during which she fought back tears as she recalled the incident. 'They kept on saying 'the ring, the ring',' Kardashian said, referring to the 18.88-carat diamond ring given to her by Kanye around the time of their engagement in 2013. 'I kept looking at the concierge,' she continued. 'I was like, 'Are we gonna die? Just tell them I have children, I have babies, I have a husband, I have a family ... I have to get home.'' She said she was tied up with plastic cables and tape while the intruders searched the room for jewels, including her $4 million engagement ring. DNA traces found on plastic bands helped police make arrests months later in January 2017. Joseph Hazan, a lawyer for Aomar Aït Khedache, one of the men accused in the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian, talks to the press at the palace of justice in Paris on April 28, 2025. Aurelien Morissard/AP Photo Denial and Apologies According to Abbas, minutes after the raid started, his accomplices came down from Kardashian's room and gave him a bag of jewelry. Everyone took off either on foot or by bike. Abbas said as he rode the bicycle, the bag containing the jewelry got caught in the front wheel, and he fell to the ground, spilling the contents of the bag. 'I picked the jewels up and left,' he said. The following morning, a passerby found a diamond-encrusted cross in the street and handed it to police. That was the only jewel from the robbery that was ever recovered. Abbas said he didn't know at the time of the robbery that Kardashian was the target. 'I was told about a famous person, a rapper's wife. That's all the information I had,' he said. 'Until the next morning, when I heard on TV about the influencer. That's when I understood who she was.' In interviews with French media, Abbas said he was sorry for what he did and wanted to apologize to Kardashian. 'I will apologize,' he He said he will detail his role during the trial, which will be conducted with a jury, a procedure in France reserved for the most serious crimes, yet he would not denounce his accomplices. 'I'm only an outsider. I'm not the one who masterminded the case. I take my share of responsibility,' he said. Abderrahmane Ouatiki, who was working as a hotel receptionist and was allegedly held at gunpoint by the robbers during the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian, arrives at the palace of justice in Paris on April 28, 2025. Aurelien Morissard/AP Photo Most of the suspects have denied involvement, except for Abbas and the alleged ringleader, 68-year-old Aomar Aït Khedache, nicknamed 'Old Omar.' Khedache's DNA was found on the tape used to gag Kardashian. His lawyer, Franck Berton, said his client 'will apologize, will actually explain how it happened, how he was contacted, and finally how the events unfolded.' Khedache, who is deaf, will answer the court's questions in writing. Didier Dubreucq, 69, known as 'Blue Eyes,' is the second alleged robber suspected of entering the flat. Although he was found to have numerous telephone communications with the other defendants and was filmed by CCTV cameras, he has denied all involvement. Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this article. From
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Indian Express
Trial begins in Kim Kardashian's 2016 jewellery heist case in Paris
A trial has begun in Paris over the 2016 robbery in which Kim Kardashian was tied up and robbed of millions of dollars' worth of jewellery during Paris Fashion Week, the Associated Press (AP) has reported. Ten people are facing charges of robbery and kidnapping after the attack on Kardashian and the concierge at the private residence where she was staying. Two of the accused have admitted to taking part, while the others deny involvement. Kardashian's lawyers said she would testify in person during the trial, which is expected to run until 23 May. 'Ms Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time,' her lawyers told AP. They added that she has 'great respect and admiration for the French justice system' and appreciated how she had been treated by the authorities. Terrifying night recalled Kim Kardashian has previously described her terror during the robbery, saying she feared she would be raped and killed. Speaking on David Letterman's Netflix show in 2020, Kardashian tearfully recalled thinking, 'This is the time I'm going to get raped. Are we gonna die? Just tell them I have children. I have a family.' Kardashian was taken from her bedroom to a bathroom, placed in the bathtub, and tied up. The attackers then fled on bicycles and on foot. She managed to free herself by removing the tape from her mouth, hands, and feet before calling for help. Although she was not physically harmed, Kardashian later told investigators she wanted to leave France immediately to reunite with her children. Elderly Robbers on trial The French press have called the group the 'Granddad Robbers' because many of the suspects are elderly and have long criminal histories, particularly involving bank robberies. Twelve people were originally meant to stand trial. However, one has died and another is too ill to be tried. Five of the remaining ten are believed to have been directly involved at the scene. Also read | Kim Kardashian 'definitely had agoraphobia' after Paris robbery, which worsened in quarantine Aomar Aït Khedache, aged 68 and known as 'Old Omar,' is said to have been one of the robbers who entered Kardashian's apartment. His DNA was found on the tape used to gag her, AP reports. Investigators say he fled the scene on a bicycle before meeting his son at a nearby station. Another accused, Yunice Abbas, 71, admitted acting as a lookout at the reception area but said he did not personally threaten Kardashian. Abbas, who later spent 21 months in prison, even co-wrote a book titled 'I Sequestered Kim Kardashian'. Jewellery still missing The robbers stole several valuable pieces of jewellery, including a ring worth over $6 million. Only one piece — a diamond cross on a platinum chain — has been recovered after being dropped during the escape. Some of the defendants are accused of helping to sell the stolen jewellery in Antwerp, Belgium. Others allegedly gave information about Kardashian's whereabouts, helping to plan the heist. Didier Dubreucq, 69, known as 'Blue Eyes,' denies involvement but was caught on CCTV and had regular contact with other suspects, according to the investigation cited by AP.
France 24
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
Kim Kardashian robbery suspect to apologise in Paris court as trial begins
One of the suspects in the armed robbery of Kim Kardashian said he plans to take responsibility for his role in the 2016 high-profile heist and will apologise in court as the trial begins Monday in Paris. Yunice Abbas, 71, who has publicly acknowledged his participation in the heist, is among 10 suspects facing charges including armed robbery and kidnapping. 'I will apologise,' Abbas told The Associated Press. 'I mean it sincerely.' Kardashian, 44, is expected to testify in person at the trial scheduled to run through May 23. In interviews and on her family's reality TV show, she has described being terrified as robbers pointed a gun at her to steal millions of dollars worth of jewelry in an apartment where she was staying for Paris Fashion Week. She said she thought she was going to be raped and killed. Abbas said he acted as a lookout at the reception area on the ground floor, ensuring the escape route was clear. He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian, but acknowledged he shared responsibility for the crime. He was arrested in January 2017 and he spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision. In 2021, he co-authored a French-language book titled 'I Sequestered Kim Kardashian.' Tied up with plastic cables and tape In her account to investigators, Kardashian described two men forcing their way into her bedroom and pointing a gun towards her, asking for her ring. She said she was tied up with plastic cables and tape while the intruders were looking for jewels, including her engagement ring worth millions of dollars. In a 2020 appearance on David Letterman's Netflix show, she tearfully recalled thinking: 'This is the time I'm going to get raped. I'm like, 'What is happening? Are we gonna die? Just tell them I have children. I have babies, I have a husband, I have a family'.' She told investigators the men brought her in the bathroom before they ran off and she managed to free herself. The residency's concierge, held at gunpoint and forced to lead the robbers to her apartment, also suffered psychological impact. Investigators found Abbas' DNA on plastic ties used to tie the hands of the concierge. Asked about the trauma Kardashian suffered, Abbas said : 'It's true, I didn't think about it. I recognize that because I did not brutalize her myself… I was not blaming myself regarding this aspect, and yet I'm responsible for it too.' Stolen jewels worth $6 million According to Abbas, minutes after the raid started, his accomplices came down from Kardashian's apartment and gave him a bag of jewelry. As he was fleeing the scene on a bicycle, he saw a police car, but officers were not yet aware of the robbery. Abbas said as he rode the bicycle the bag containing the jewelry became caught in the front wheel and he fell to the ground, spilling the contents of the bag. 'I picked the jewels up and left,' he said. The following morning, a passerby found a diamond-encrusted cross in the street and handed it to police. That was the only jewel from the robbery that was ever recovered. French justice estimated stolen items to be worth $6 million in total. Abbas said he didn't know Kardashian's identity at the time of the robbery. 'I was told about a famous person, a rapper's wife. That's all the information I had,' he said. 'Until the next morning, when I heard on TV about the influencer. That's when I understood who she was.' He said he will detail his role during the trial, which will be conducted with a jury, a procedure in France reserved for the most serious crimes – yet he would not denounce his accomplices. 'I'm only an outsider. I'm not the one who masterminded the case. I take my share of responsibility,' he said. Most of the suspects have denied involvement, except for Abbas and another man whose DNA was also found at the scene. FBI involvement Thierry Niemen, the journalist who co-authored Abbas' book, said Abbas approached him because he wanted to 'tell his own truth' amid what he saw as inaccurate or sensationalised accounts. The book also revealed investigative details, including how the FBI helped French police identify Abbas' DNA despite him wearing gloves. 'This is the case of all superlatives,' Niemen said. 'The FBI overseeing an investigation on French territory — that's already a superlative.' Kardashian was then the top influencer in the world and the case was the most popular topic on the social media in 2016, Niemen stressed. Abbas' earnings from the book have been frozen pending the outcome of the trial. Kardashian's lawyer, Michael Rhodes, has said the reality TV star and entrepreneur wants the trial "to proceed in an orderly fashion in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case."
Korea Herald
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Suspect in Kardashian jewel heist case plans to take responsibility for his role at Paris trial
PARIS (AP) — One of the suspects in the armed robbery of Kim Kardashian said he plans to take responsibility for his role in the 2016 high-profile heist and will apologize in court as the trial begins Monday in Paris. Yunice Abbas, 71, who has publicly acknowledged his participation in the heist, is among 10 suspects facing charges including armed robbery and kidnapping. "I will apologize," Abbas told The Associated Press. "I mean it sincerely." Kardashian, 44, is expected to testify in person at the trial scheduled to run through May 23. In interviews and on her family's reality TV show, she has described being terrified as robbers pointed a gun at her to steal millions of dollars worth of jewelry in an apartment where she was staying for Paris Fashion Week. She said she thought she was going to be raped and killed. Abbas said he acted as a lookout at the reception area on the ground floor, ensuring the escape route was clear. He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian, but acknowledged he shared responsibility for the crime. He was arrested in January 2017 and he spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision. In 2021, he co-authored a French-language book titled "I Sequestered Kim Kardashian." In her account to investigators, Kardashian described two men forcing their way into her bedroom and pointing a gun towards her, asking for her ring. She said she was tied up with plastic cables and tape while the intruders were looking for jewels, including her engagement ring worth millions of dollars. In a 2020 appearance on David Letterman's Netflix show, she tearfully recalled thinking, "This is the time I'm going to get raped. I'm like, 'What is happening? Are we gonna die? Just tell them I have children. I have babies, I have a husband, I have a family.'" She told investigators the men brought her in the bathroom before they ran off and she managed to free herself. The residency's concierge, held at gunpoint and forced to lead the robbers to her apartment, also suffered psychological impact. Investigators found Abbas' DNA on plastic ties used to tie the hands of the concierge. Asked about the trauma Kardashian suffered, Abbas said, "It's true, I didn't think about it. I recognize that because I did not brutalize her myself ... I was not blaming myself regarding this aspect, and yet I'm responsible for it too." According to Abbas, minutes after the raid started, his accomplices came down from Kardashian's apartment and gave him a bag of jewelry. As he was fleeing the scene on a bicycle, he saw a police car, but officers were not yet aware of the robbery. Abbas said as he rode the bicycle the bag containing the jewelry became caught in the front wheel and he fell to the ground, spilling the contents of the bag. "I picked the jewels up and left," he said. The following morning, a passerby found a diamond-encrusted cross in the street and handed it to police. That was the only jewel from the robbery that was ever recovered. French justice estimated stolen items to be worth $6 million in total. Abbas said he didn't know Kardashian's identity at the time of the robbery. "I was told about a famous person, a rapper's wife. That's all the information I had," he said. "Until the next morning, when I heard on TV about the influencer. That's when I understood who she was." He said he will detail his role during the trial, which will be conducted with a jury, a procedure in France reserved for the most serious crimes – yet he would not denounce his accomplices. "I'm only an outsider. I'm not the one who masterminded the case. I take my share of responsibility," he said. Most of the suspects have denied involvement, except for Abbas and another man whose DNA was also found at the scene. Thierry Niemen, the journalist who co-authored Abbas' book, said Abbas approached him because he wanted to "tell his own truth" amid what he saw as inaccurate or sensationalized accounts. The book also revealed investigative details, including how the FBI helped French police identify Abbas' DNA despite him wearing gloves. "This is the case of all superlatives," Niemen said. "The FBI overseeing an investigation on French territory — that's already a superlative." Kardashian was then the top influencer in the world and the case was the most popular topic on the social media in 2016, Niemen stressed. Abbas' earnings from the book have been frozen pending the outcome of the trial. Kardashian's lawyer, Michael Rhodes, has said the reality TV star and entrepreneur wants the trial "to proceed in an orderly fashion in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case."
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Amid Netflix's ‘Jewel Thief', Kim Kardashian to testify in $9 million jewelry heist that targeted her
Kardashian, 44, is expected to testify in person at the trial scheduled to run through May 23 read more One of the suspects in the armed robbery of Kim Kardashian said he plans to take responsibility for his role in the 2016 high-profile heist and will apologize in court as the trial begins Monday in Paris. Yunice Abbas, 71, who has publicly acknowledged his participation in the heist, is among 10 suspects facing charges including armed robbery and kidnapping. 'I will apologize,' Abbas told The Associated Press. 'I mean it sincerely.' Kardashian, 44, is expected to testify in person at the trial scheduled to run through May 23. In interviews and on her family's reality TV show, she has described being terrified as robbers pointed a gun at her to steal millions of dollars worth of jewelry in an apartment where she was staying for Paris Fashion Week. She said she thought she was going to be raped and killed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Abbas said he acted as a lookout at the reception area on the ground floor, ensuring the escape route was clear. He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian, but acknowledged he shared responsibility for the crime. He was arrested in January 2017 and he spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision. In 2021, he co-authored a French-language book titled 'I Sequestered Kim Kardashian.' In her account to investigators, Kardashian described two men forcing their way into her bedroom and pointing a gun towards her, asking for her ring. She said she was tied up with plastic cables and tape while the intruders were looking for jewels, including her engagement ring worth millions of dollars. In a 2020 appearance on David Letterman's Netflix show, she tearfully recalled thinking: 'This is the time I'm going to get raped. I'm like, 'What is happening? Are we gonna die? Just tell them I have children. I have babies, I have a husband, I have a family'.' She told investigators the men brought her in the bathroom before they ran off and she managed to free herself. The residency's concierge, held at gunpoint and forced to lead the robbers to her apartment, also suffered psychological impact. Investigators found Abbas' DNA on plastic ties used to tie the hands of the concierge. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Asked about the trauma Kardashian suffered, Abbas said : 'It's true, I didn't think about it. I recognize that because I did not brutalize her myself… I was not blaming myself regarding this aspect, and yet I'm responsible for it too.' According to Abbas, minutes after the raid started, his accomplices came down from Kardashian's apartment and gave him a bag of jewelry. As he was fleeing the scene on a bicycle, he saw a police car, but officers were not yet aware of the robbery. Abbas said as he rode the bicycle the bag containing the jewelry became caught in the front wheel and he fell to the ground, spilling the contents of the bag. 'I picked the jewels up and left,' he said. The following morning, a passerby found a diamond-encrusted cross in the street and handed it to police. That was the only jewel from the robbery that was ever recovered. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD French justice estimated stolen items to be worth $6 million in total. Abbas said he didn't know Kardashian's identity at the time of the robbery. 'I was told about a famous person, a rapper's wife. That's all the information I had,' he said. 'Until the next morning, when I heard on TV about the influencer. That's when I understood who she was.' He said he will detail his role during the trial, which will be conducted with a jury, a procedure in France reserved for the most serious crimes – yet he would not denounce his accomplices. 'I'm only an outsider. I'm not the one who masterminded the case. I take my share of responsibility,' he said. Most of the suspects have denied involvement, except for Abbas and another man whose DNA was also found at the scene. Thierry Niemen, the journalist who co-authored Abbas' book, said Abbas approached him because he wanted to 'tell his own truth' amid what he saw as inaccurate or sensationalized accounts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The book also revealed investigative details, including how the FBI helped French police identify Abbas' DNA despite him wearing gloves. 'This is the case of all superlatives,' Niemen said. 'The FBI overseeing an investigation on French territory — that's already a superlative.' Kardashian was then the top influencer in the world and the case was the most popular topic on the social media in 2016, Niemen stressed. Abbas' earnings from the book have been frozen pending the outcome of the trial. Kardashian's lawyer, Michael Rhodes, has said the reality TV star and entrepreneur wants the trial 'to proceed in an orderly fashion in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case.'
