In a landmark trial that concluded yesterday, eight French men, nicknamed the “Grandpa Robbers,” were convicted for their roles in the dramatic 2016 kidnapping and robbery of reality TV star Kim Kardashian. The verdicts, handed down by a panel of three judges and six jurors in Paris, confirmed the group’s involvement in organized crime, bringing closure to a case that shocked the world nearly a decade ago.
The robbers, now in their late 60s to 70s, were found guilty of stealing jewelry worth $9 million, including a diamond engagement ring, in a heist that unfolded during Paris Fashion Week.
The robbery occurred on October 2, 2016, when Kardashian was staying in a luxury hotel room without security, a vulnerability exploited by the thieves. Disguised as police officers, the armed robbers broke into her room, tied her up at gunpoint, and made off with a collection of jewelry valued at $9 million. Among the stolen items was a diamond engagement ring gifted by her then-husband, Ye (formerly Kanye West). The loot, reportedly destined for sale in Belgium, has never been recovered, marking the incident as one of France’s most significant individual robberies in two decades.
Kardashian later recounted the harrowing ordeal, describing how she was zip-tied, dragged to a marble bathroom, and feared for her life as a gun was pressed against her.
Due to their unusually advanced ages, the group earned their moniker “les papys braqueurs” (grandpa robbers). At the time of their arrest in 2017, the defendants ranged from their late 50s to 60s; by the 2025 trial, they were in their late 60s to 70s. Several faced serious health challenges, including cancers, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. Of the original suspects, one had died before the trial, and another, aged 81, was excused due to advanced dementia, leaving ten to face justice.
Key among them was Aomar Aït Khedache, the alleged mastermind, whose DNA on the zip-ties directly linked him to the crime. Another significant figure, Yunice Abbas, was involved in the planning and execution, though his clumsy escape—dropping a bag of jewels while fleeing on a bike—highlighted the group’s haphazard approach. Despite their age and apparent disorganization, they pulled off a brazen heist in a heavily surveilled city.
The trial kicked off in late April 2025 and wrapped up with verdicts on May 23, 2025, drawing massive media attention—400 journalists reportedly covered the proceedings, with particular focus on Kardashian’s appearance. On May 14, 2025, Kardashian took the stand, delivering a powerful account of the robbery.
“I thought I was going to be shot dead, i have babies. I have to make it home. They can take everything. I just have to make it home.”
She said, detailing how she freed herself after the robbers fled. Her testimony underscored the psychological scars left by the incident.
Prosecutors built a robust case with DNA evidence, wiretaps capturing Aït Khedache issuing orders, and CCTV footage. The trial revealed the robbery’s audacity, executed in central Paris despite heightened security following the 2015 terrorist attacks. Aït Khedache, deaf and communicating via notes, expressed remorse, writing, “a thousand pardons,” though he tried to deflect blame onto fictitious figures.
Eight of the ten defendants were convicted on charges including robbery in an organized gang, kidnapping, sequestration, and criminal association. Two were acquitted. Prosecutors had sought 10-year sentences, but the exact penalties remain unclear, with some reports suggesting that time served might allow certain defendants to walk free. The guilty verdicts marked a significant resolution, though the unrecovered jewelry left lingering questions about the full scope of justice.
The “Grandpa Robbers” case gripped the public, blending the intrigue of a celebrity victim with the unusual profile of elderly criminals. It sparked debates about justice for high-profile figures, the challenges of prosecuting aging defendants, and the effectiveness of law enforcement in recovering stolen goods.
The robbery also exposed vulnerabilities in celebrity security during events like Paris Fashion Week, amplified by Kardashian’s social media posts of her whereabouts in 2016—a cautionary tale in the digital age.
