Final Chapter in Kim Kardashian Robbery Trial: Tears, Regrets, and Symbolic Sentences

Paris, May 23, 2025 – Nine years after the spectacular armed robbery that targeted Kim Kardashian during Paris Fashion Week, French justice has reached its conclusion. On Friday, the Paris criminal court delivered its verdict after four extraordinary weeks of hearings. Ten individuals were on trial for their alleged involvement in the armed theft that took place during the night of October 2 to 3, 2016, in a luxury hotel residence. Though sentences of up to three years in prison were handed down, none of the defendants will return to jail.

Elderly Robbers and Suspended Sentences

At the center of the case was Aomar Aït Khedache – known as “Omar the Old” – who was found guilty of masterminding the heist and sentenced to eight years in prison, three of which were to be served. However, a sentence overlap with a prior conviction means he will not be re-incarcerated. Yunice Abbas, another defendant who admitted to his involvement, expressed deep remorse on the stand, saying he “never considered” the psychological impact on the victim. These two were among the only ones to acknowledge their roles and apologize. The eight other defendants, several of them elderly, denied all charges, despite indirect testimonies and circumstantial evidence.

Kim Kardashian Confronts Her Attackers

The proceedings were marked by the unique profiles of the accused—many in their seventies—as well as by the global notoriety of the victim. Kim Kardashian appeared in court on May 13, in a packed courtroom, to recount in detail the terrifying moments she endured during the robbery. She tearfully explained how, bound and helpless, she believed she was going to die. When asked about a letter of apology sent by Aomar Aït Khedache, she responded, “I forgive you for what happened,” while clarifying that the trauma had permanently altered her life.

The Forgotten Victim: The Night Watchman

The trial also shed light on lesser-known victims. Abderrahmane Ouatiki, the night watchman on duty, was handcuffed and forced to escort the robbers to Kardashian’s room. He testified that he, too, feared for his life that night. His lawyers emphasized how his suffering, though less publicized than that of the American celebrity, was no less real or deserving of recognition.

Among those acquitted were a bar owner, accused of tipping off the robbers about Kardashian’s presence and valuables, and the brother of the star’s chauffeur. While the former was cleared of complicity but fined €5,000 for weapons possession, the latter was fully exonerated.

In a case that read like a crime thriller—featuring high fashion, millions in stolen jewels, and retired criminals with murky pasts—the sentences were lighter than those requested by prosecutors. Kardashian’s lawyers stated that she was “satisfied” with the outcome.