Prison convictions for the octogenarian gangster associated with Kim Kardashian's assault case
In a revival of renowned French crime dramas, the trial of the 2016 armed robbery of reality TV personality Kim Kardashian in Paris concluded recently, leaving nine years' worth of unanswered questions and an estimated $10 million in stolen jewels unfound. The high-profile case, set against the backdrop of the glamorous Paris Fashion Week, featured tearful testimonies, aging gangsters, and lingering doubts about the true extent of the loot's recovery.
The esteemed 8th arrondissement, known as the luxury "No Address" district, bore witness to a dramatic heist nine years ago. Kardashian, a media star then visiting Paris for fashion week, found herself targeted by masked robbers wearing police uniforms. They bound and gagged her before making off with jewelry worth approximately $9 million, including her famed 18.88-carat diamond engagement ring from Kanye West. Barely escaping with her life, Kardashian was left traumatized, fearing the assailants would subject her to rape or violence.
The accused in this case, collectively referred to by the French press as "gangster grandpas," averaged around 60 years of age. Lengthy criminal histories and diverse nicknames like "Omar the Old" (69), "Blue Eye" (69), and "Cathy" (78) marked their careers as repeat offenders. However, four of the nine defendants were found not guilty in the end.
Those convicted received prison sentences ranging from three to eight years, with some sentences suspended. Additional charges including illegal weapon possession, kidnapping, and forgery were leveled against the group. Out of the nine, two admitted guilt and showed remorse before the court, with one stating, "I'm sorry for what I did."
Defendants "Cathy" and others claimed innocence, arguing that the indictment was poorly constructed and the trial overly complex. They contended that if the victim had been an ordinary citizen, the course of justice may have taken a different path.
Prosecutors, insisting that all defendants had participated in the meticulously planned robbery, pressed for heavy penalties. They argued that the defendants, far from senile criminals, acted with deliberate violence and disregard for their victim. Despite their defense team's pleas for leniency, taking into account the defendants' advanced age and health issues, the judges kept sentences moderate, citing the defendants' good behavior since the crime.
Though carbon copies of the stolen items have not been recovered, investigators suspect the loot was converted into cash in Antwerp. Principal suspect "Reibenase" (72) was alleged to have played a central role in this operation; however, he passed away before the trial commenced. The remaining missing jewels, valued at millions, remain a mystery to police.
The high-profile trial ended with some defendants being found not guilty, while others received prison sentences for the robbery of Kim Kardashian, an incident that occurred during the Paris Fashion Week and involved celebrities, as well as elements of crime-and-justice and general-news. In the entertainment industry, the trial's outcome sparked discussions, with some suggesting lighter sentencing considering the defendants' ages and health issues, while prosecutors insisted on heavy penalties due to the premeditated nature of the crime, also affecting the service industry, particularly luxury establishments in the 8th arrondissement.
