After nearly a decade, the criminals responsible for the infamous $10 million heist that shocked the world are set to face trial.
This long-awaited trial concerns the 2016 robbery that targeted Kim Kardashian while she was staying at a luxury Parisian penthouse.
Almost nine years after the event, the suspects are finally being brought to justice for a robbery that left the reality star shaken and her jewelry collection stolen.
The Night of the Robbery: What Really Happened
On October 3rd, 2016, Kim Kardashian was staying alone in her lavish hotel room, a £12,000-a-night penthouse at the Hôtel de Pourtalès.
As she relaxed, a group of masked men barged in, bound her, and locked her in the bathroom while they stole her expensive jewelry, including a $4 million engagement ring from Kanye West.
Kim, in just a bathrobe, was left terrified, and the robbers made off with items valued at $10 million.
Investigators have pieced together the details of the robbery from police documents, confessions from some of the suspects, and evidence from the scene.
The criminals, who have been dubbed “Kardashian’s Twelve” by the media, are accused of armed robbery, kidnapping, and conspiracy.
Although many have admitted their involvement, the trial is still on hold, with some defendants now elderly and ill.
Old Omar Leads the Gang
At the heart of the crime is Aomar Aït Khedache, a 69-year-old career criminal known as “Old Omar.”
Despite his health issues, including hearing loss, poor eyesight, and heart problems, Omar has openly admitted his role as the leader of the heist.
He’s not the only one involved who has confessed—his right-hand man, Yunice Abbas, now 72, even penned a book titled I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian.
But even with these admissions, the trial won’t start until April at the earliest, with some fearing further delays.
Nine years after the crime, the police are still frustrated that the defendants remain free, despite their arrests back in 2017.
Investigators Reconstruct the Heist
MailOnline obtained incredible details about the investigation that led to the gang’s capture.
It all started when Omar was tipped off about Kardashian’s visit to Paris during Fashion Week.
He learned she was flaunting her wealth on social media, and, fueled by greed, he planned the robbery.
The tip came from Florus Héroui, a bar manager with ties to Kardashian’s driver, Gary Madar.
Using this inside information, Omar and his gang tracked Kardashian’s movements and planned the heist.
They followed her to her penthouse, where the robbery took place in the early hours of the morning.
The Dramatic Robbery
At 2:20 AM on October 3rd, the thieves, dressed in police uniforms and armed with guns, stormed into the penthouse.
They tied up Kardashian and forced her to reveal where her valuables were kept.
Despite her attempts to call for help, they taped her mouth shut and locked her in a bathroom.
It took them nearly 50 minutes to gather all the loot, and they escaped with jewelry worth millions.
Though the robbers fled the scene, one dropped a platinum cross, which was later recovered.
Kardashian eventually freed herself and alerted the police.
The following day, Kanye West rushed home from a concert in New York after hearing about the robbery.
DNA and Surveillance Lead to Arrests
The police quickly pieced together evidence from DNA, CCTV footage, and phone records.
They traced the suspects through their movements, including phone calls and GPS tracking.
Among the key figures arrested were Omar and Abbas, whose fingerprints were found on the ropes used to restrain Kardashian.
The investigation intensified as detectives uncovered that the gang had sold Kardashian’s stolen jewelry in Antwerp, with some suspects traveling there to sell the pieces.
Despite their best efforts to cover their tracks, the gang was arrested in January 2017, months after the heist.
Kardashian’s Emotional Aftermath
Kim Kardashian was deeply traumatized by the robbery. In her testimony, she described how the experience left her with a constant fear for her safety and a changed perspective on her relationship with material wealth.
For over a year, she avoided Paris, and the investigation team had to travel to the US to gather her testimony.
As the trial approaches, it’s unclear whether Kardashian will return to Paris to testify.
Nevertheless, the legal proceedings are set to be an important moment in a case that has captivated the world for nearly a decade.
Who Are the Kardashian 12?
The “Kardashian 12” refers to the group of 12 individuals involved in the heist.
This includes 11 men and one woman, all of whom are now living freely in the Paris suburbs or along the French Riviera while awaiting trial.
The key figures involved in the crime include Old Omar, Yunice Abbas, Didier “Blue Eyes” Dubreucq, and Pierre “Big Pierrot” Bouianère, among others.
Some of the defendants are suffering from serious health issues, including cancer, and others are elderly.
Despite their confessions, the trial is expected to last for about a month, with the potential for lengthy prison sentences.
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