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A French court on Friday convicted a gang responsible for stealing $10 million worth of jewellery from reality TV star Kim Kardashian in a Paris hotel in 2016.
However, none of the convicted will return to prison, and the sentences handed down were considerably lighter than those sought by prosecutors.
Kardashian described the robbery as “the most terrifying experience of my life” and expressed her gratitude to the French authorities for their pursuit of justice.
Ten suspects—nine men and one woman—had been on trial since April, with prosecutors demanding the maximum sentence of 10 years for the four men directly accused of carrying out the theft.
The alleged ringleader, 69-year-old Aomar Ait Khedache, received the harshest punishment of three years’ imprisonment plus five years suspended. Due to time already served, he and all other convicted individuals will not face further jail time.
Two suspects charged with providing information about Kardashian’s location were acquitted, and all sentences were substantially below the prosecution’s requests.
Kardashian, then aged 35, was held at gunpoint, tied up, and gagged during the robbery at a luxury Paris hotel on the night of October 2–3, 2016.
Following the verdict, she released a statement saying she was “deeply grateful to the French authorities for pursuing justice.” She added that although the crime left a lasting impact on her and her family, she believes in “growth and accountability” and prays for healing for all involved.
After the hearing, the convicted men embraced family members and left the courtroom calmly, carrying bags they had prepared in case of imprisonment.
Presiding Judge David De Pas acknowledged the sentences were lenient but explained that, due to the poor health of the main defendants, incarceration was deemed unethical. “It would have been unjust to send you to prison this evening,” he said.
Khedache, who is now almost mute and deaf, had submitted a written apology via his lawyer, asking for forgiveness from his son, who was also convicted as the getaway driver.
Other gang members received seven-year sentences, including five years suspended. One defendant undergoing chemotherapy was absent from the hearing.
Kardashian’s legal team said she is eager to move on from this “tragic episode” and continue her efforts to improve the criminal justice system for victims and those seeking redemption.
Most of the stolen jewellery remains unrecovered, including a diamond ring from Kardashian’s then-husband, rapper Kanye West, valued at around €3.5 million ($3.9 million).
The 2016 heist was the largest robbery against a private individual in France in two decades. Most defendants are in their 60s and 70s, earning the nickname “Grandpa robbers” in French media.
Prosecutors had urged the court not to be swayed by the defendants’ age, reminding jurors of the violent nature of the attack.
During the trial, Kardashian testified wearing a $3 million diamond necklace and told the court she forgave Khedache after hearing his letter of apology, though she acknowledged the trauma would remain.
Kardashian, who rose to fame in the early 2000s through reality television, has since built a career in fashion and film.
