Title: Eight years after the infamous Paris robbery, justice has finally been delivered
On Friday, May 23, 2025, the French court handed down its verdict in the long-awaited trial stemming from the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian during Paris Fashion Week. The verdict has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world once again—and this time, closure may finally be on the horizon.
The Crime That Shook Pop Culture
It was one of the most dramatic celebrity crimes in recent memory. On the night of October 3, 2016, Kim Kardashian was staying at a private luxury residence during Paris Fashion Week when a group of men dressed as police officers forced their way in.
They tied Kim up, held her at gunpoint, and made off with over $10 million worth of jewelry, including her iconic 20-carat engagement ring from Kanye West. The crime left her shaken, traumatized, and largely out of the public eye for months. The ordeal also sparked global conversations about celebrity safety and privacy.
“Grandpa Robbers” Found Guilty
The case earned its unusual nickname due to the age of the suspects—most of whom are now in their 60s and 70s. The group, referred to by the press as the “Grandpa Robbers,” reportedly spent months planning the heist, taking advantage of Kim’s very public social media habits to track her whereabouts.
At the conclusion of the trial, eight out of ten men were found guilty. The mastermind behind the operation, Aomar “Old Omar” Ait Kedache, now 69, was sentenced to eight years in prison, with five of those years suspended. Three other men received seven-year sentences, also with five years suspended.
Due to the lengthy pretrial detainment period—some of the men have already served nearly the full time—none of them will return to prison.
Kim Faces Her Assailants in Court
Earlier this month, Kim Kardashian returned to Paris for the trial—her first time facing her robbers since the incident.
From the stand, she shared emotional testimony about how the robbery has haunted her for years.
“It doesn’t change the emotion and the feelings and the trauma… the way my life is forever changed,” Kim reportedly said.
She even addressed “Old Omar” directly in court, stating simply:
“I forgive you.”
Her statement stunned many, sparking praise for her strength and ability to find closure in the face of such a deeply personal violation.
Still No Justice for the Jewels
Despite the convictions, only one piece of jewelry from the original heist has ever been recovered. The fate of the rest—including Kim’s famed engagement ring—remains unknown. The French court also heard that one of the suspects, who was previously employed as a driver and assistant to the Kardashian family, played a key role in the plot by leaking insider information.
Another defendant passed away just before the trial began, closing the chapter for one man before the verdict was ever read.
Closure… But at What Cost?
While the guilty verdicts have given Kim Kardashian and her family a sense of justice, the emotional scars clearly remain. The trial not only revisited one of the darkest chapters in her life but also highlighted the vulnerability of even the most high-profile celebrities.
Kim’s decision to face her attackers—and forgive them publicly—underscores the growth she’s undergone since 2016. But one thing is clear: while the court has ruled, the trauma of that night will never truly be erased.