Prosecutors Want 10-Year Sentence for Alleged Mastermind in Kardashian Robbery

French prosecutors on Wednesday urged the court to sentence Aomar Ait Khedache, the alleged ringleader of the infamous 2016 armed robbery of US celebrity Kim Kardashian, to 10 years in prison. The high-profile case saw Kardashian herself testify last week, recounting the terrifying ordeal when masked men held her at gunpoint and stole millions in jewellery from her Paris hotel room.

Kardashian described fearing for her life during the October 3, 2016, robbery, in which the assailants threatened her, tied her up, and bound her mouth with tape. The gang escaped with approximately $10 million worth of valuables, including a diamond ring gifted by then-husband Kanye West valued at 3.5 million euros ($3.9 million). Most of the stolen items remain unrecovered.

Prosecutor Anne-Dominique Merville insisted to the court that all ten accused are guilty despite eight proclaiming their innocence. She highlighted the callousness of the attackers, who showed no empathy for Kardashian or the hotel receptionist.

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Prosecutors Want 10-Year Sentence for Alleged Mastermind in Kardashian Robbery

Khedache, 69, who admitted to restraining Kardashian but denies orchestrating the crime, was described by prosecutors as the mastermind who “gave orders,” recruited accomplices, and attempted to sell the stolen jewellery in Belgium. Sentencing requests for the other suspects were expected later Wednesday.

Known in French media as the “Grandpa robbers,” many defendants are now elderly and facing health challenges. Yunice Abbas, 71, who authored a controversial book about the case, suffers from Parkinson’s disease and has undergone heart surgery. Khedache is reportedly deaf, nearly mute, and dependent on a cane due to a medical condition.

Although the charges of armed robbery and sequestration carry potential sentences up to 30 years, prosecutors are not expected to seek the maximum penalties. None of the accused are currently in custody and are primarily aiming to avoid imprisonment.

The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on Friday.

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