A French court has found eight individuals guilty of orchestrating the armed robbery of Kim Kardashian in Paris back in 2016, including the group’s leader. Despite their convictions, none of the defendants will serve additional prison time. The court cited the advanced age and health concerns of many of the perpetrators—most in their 60s and 70s—as significant factors behind the leniency of the sentences handed down.
Presiding judge David De Pas explained that the nearly decade-long delay between the crime and the trial also played a role in determining the sentences. Among the eight found guilty, Aomar Aït Khedache, 69, considered the ringleader, received the harshest penalty of eight years in prison, five of which were suspended. The others received shorter sentences, most of which were fully or partially suspended. Two of the ten accused individuals were acquitted altogether.
None of the convicted will be returning to jail, thanks to time already served and the suspended portions of their sentences. All left the courtroom as free men. Judge De Pas still acknowledged the emotional impact of the robbery on Kardashian, who was targeted while staying at a luxury hotel during Paris Fashion Week, calling attention to the fear and trauma she endured.
In a written statement released after the verdict, Kardashian expressed her gratitude to the French legal authorities for continuing to pursue justice. Describing the event as the most terrifying ordeal of her life, she emphasized its lasting effects on her and her family. Although she was not present in court, Kardashian reinforced her commitment to justice reform and healing for everyone involved.
Investigators cracked the case largely thanks to forensic evidence, including DNA left by Khedache on restraints used to tie Kardashian. Surveillance and wiretaps further implicated him in organizing the crime and attempting to sell the stolen jewelry in Belgium. Despite the recovery of only a single piece—a diamond cross—more than $6 million in jewelry was taken during the heist, including sentimental pieces like a watch given to Kardashian by her late father.
The robbery was carried out by assailants impersonating police officers, who forced their way into Kardashian’s hotel suite. She was restrained and held at gunpoint before being locked in a bathroom. Once the intruders fled, she managed to free herself and seek shelter with a friend. Her account of the ordeal during the trial was a deeply emotional moment that highlighted the psychological toll the crime had taken.
During the proceedings, Kardashian faced Khedache in court as he apologized through a written note. Her response, while forgiving, made clear that the trauma remained. She acknowledged his letter and expressed forgiveness, but also reiterated that the fear and lasting impact of the robbery could not be undone. Several other defendants also took the opportunity to express remorse during the final statements.
- Beyond the courtroom, the robbery led to a cultural shift among celebrities. Known for sharing her life openly online, Kardashian dramatically changed her public behavior afterward, including ending the practice of posting her location in real time. Her experience prompted many other public figures to reassess the risks of visibility in the digital age, making privacy a new form of luxury.