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A court in Paris, France has decided the fates of the 10 defendants accused of the armed 2016 holdup of famed reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
On Friday, May 23, 2025, a panel of three judges and six jurors delivered guilty verdicts upon eight of the 10 accused of holding the 44-year-old celebrity at gunpoint and taking nearly $10 million in jewelry, according to NBC News. The Associated Press reported those convicted with the most serious of offenses, including Yunice Abbas, 71, and alleged mastermind Aomar Khedache, 69, will not see any prison time for their crimes.
Both men were handed seven- and eight-year sentences, respectively, with five years suspended plus time served. Didier Dubreucq and Marc-Alexander Boyer were among those charged with the more serious offenses of armed robbery and kidnapping, per the NBC outlet.
Abbas confessed to his role in his tell-all, I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian, while Khedache — who is deaf — openly thanked Kardashian in court for her mercy after having his apology letter read aloud.
Those found guilty of lesser charges included Khedache’s son and reported getaway driver, Harminy Khedache, informants Fleurus Heroui and Gary Madar, as well as Khedache’s girlfriend, Christiane Glotin, according to NBC News.
Two others were acquitted of any wrongdoing.
Kim Kardashian issues statement on verdict
Kardashian was not present when the verdicts were reached but issued a statement obtained by The Associated Press.
“I am deeply grateful to the French authorities for pursuing justice in this case,” she stated. “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.”
This week, Kardashian, whose criminal justice advocacy was front and center in Oxygen’s Kim Kardashian West: The Justice Project, celebrated a major milestone after graduating from the four-year Law Office Study Program after six years, as reported by People. Kardashian, the father of esteemed attorney Robert Kardashian Sr., celebrated with a backyard ceremony.
She has vocally used her passion for reform to come to terms with her harrowing ordeal, as touched on when she responded to Khedache’s address in court, as previously reported by Oxygen.
“I wanted so badly to be a lawyer and fight for people … I’ve always believed in a second chance,” Kardashian said. “I forgive you for what has taken place, but it does not change the emotion, the feelings, the trauma, and the way it changed my life.”
What happened to Kim Kardashian?
On the stand, Kardashian recounted when men dressed as police officers barged into her room at the Hôtel de Pourtalès with a handcuffed concierge, Abderrahmane Ouatiki, in their grasp. They proceeded to hold Kardashian at gunpoint, zip-tie her, and throw her onto the bed.
She feared rape and pleaded with the intruders to let her go home to her four children.
“I absolutely thought I was going to die,” she told Judge David De Pas during questioning.
Though shaken, Kardashian was left unharmed.
The defendants were arrested months later when DNA testing linked them to the scene of the crime, according to NBC News. The case stalled for the good part of a decade, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nine men and one woman, part of a group nicknamed the “Grandpa Robbers” because the participants were primarily in their 60s and 70s, stood trial. Aside from Abbas and Khedache, the others have maintained their innocence.
“I have nothing but regrets to offer you and will take my responsibilities,” Abbas said in his final statement to the court, according to NBC News.
