SOURCE :- THE AGE NEWS
By Max Stephens
Eight people, mostly pensioners, have been found guilty of crimes connected to the gunpoint robbery of $15.6 million worth of jewellery from Kim Kardashian, the billionaire American socialite.
The 44-year-old reality television star was tied up and held at gunpoint in a five-hour ordeal at a hotel in October 2016 during Paris Fashion Week by a gang dubbed “the grandpa robbers”.
Yunis Abbas (centre) and Aomar Ait Khedache (right) were key participants in the robbery of Kim Kardashian. Credit: AFR
They dumped Kardashian in her hotel bathroom and made off by bicycle and on foot with the jewels, including a $7.7 million ring from her then-husband, rapper Kanye West.
The group of nine men and one woman, with an average age of 70, were accused of armed robbery, kidnapping and gang association.
Eight of the accused were convicted, while two of the defendants, both considered informants who allegedly passed on Kardashian’s movements to the robbers, were acquitted.
Due to time already served in pre-trial detention, none of those found guilty will go to prison.
David De Pas, the chief judge, told the defendants: “The sentences are quite lenient; I understand that you understand that you have caused harm.
“The state of health of the main protagonists ethically prohibits incarcerating anyone. It would have been unjust to take you to prison this evening.”
Kardashian, in a statement following the guilty verdicts, said: “The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving a lasting impact on me and my family.
“While I’ll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all.
“I remain committed to advocating for justice and promoting a fair legal system.”
‘I ask for forgiveness’
Aomar Ait Khedache, 68, known as “Old Omar” and who is completely blind and deaf, had admitted to tying up Kardashian but denied being the mastermind of the plot.
In a statement read out on his behalf by his lawyer to the packed courtroom, he begged for forgiveness.
“I ask for forgiveness. I can’t find the words. I am very sorry,” it read. “I offer a thousand apologies,” he scribbled on a piece of paper during the proceedings.
Kim Kardashian arrives to give evidence at the trial earlier this month.Credit: AP
He was sentenced to eight years in prison, five of which were suspended, and fined €5000 ($8750).
Anne-Dominique Merville, the prosecutor general, had demanded that Khedache, who has several convictions for drug-running and robbery, 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”.
His son, Harminy Aït Khedache, who was the getaway driver but maintained he had no idea that a robbery was taking place, was sentenced to five years in prison, four of which were suspended.
Yunice Abbas, who admitted his participation and wrote a book in 2021 called I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian that recounted his role in the plot, was sentenced to seven years in prison, five of which were suspended.
Didier Dubreucq, nicknamed Didier “Blue Eyes”, who was identified as one of the two criminals who entered Kardashian’s bedroom and stole her jewellery, was sentenced to seven years in prison, five of which were suspended.
Marc-Alexandre Boyer, the youngest of the group, now aged 35, was suspected of having kept lookout in the hotel lobby with Abbas.
Marc Boyer, his father, accused only of possessing a weapon, was fined €5000.
Christiane Glotin, 80, who acted as the “criminal secretary”, was given a four-year suspended sentence. Francois Delaporte, accused of providing and possessing false documents, was handed a three-year suspended prison sentence.
The Telegraph, London
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