Latest news with #AomarAitKhedache
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kim Kardashian 'grandpa robber', 69, dies a month after his conviction
's 'grandpa robber' has died a month after he was convicted of stealing jewellery worth $10million from the reality television star. Didier Dubreucq, 69, was diagnosed with lung cancer during pre-trial detention and had been undergoing chemotherapy. He was among ten suspects to be tried earlier this year for stealing jewels from the star, including a huge diamond ring from her now ex-husband, rapper Kanye West. Dubreucq, who police nicknamed 'Blue Eyes' due to his piercing gaze, was accused of being the second person who stormed into Kim's hotel room on October 2, 2016, but he denied the charges. A Paris court last month sentenced him to seven years in jail, including five suspended, for the robbery. He was absent for the ruling as he was undergoing chemotherapy, and did not return to jail as he had already served his two years in pre-trial detention. In April, he had however turned up in court after a chemotherapy session to say he had 'nothing to do' with the theft. He said he did not like to be labelled an 'armed robber' despite having served a 23-year sentence for past armed robberies. He rejection suggestions that he is a 'thug' and said: 'I'm a good guy.' Since becoming a father at the age of 50, Dubreucq added that he had put an end to his 'big mistakes' of the past. None of the eight people convicted last month returned to jail, including 69-year-old ringleader Aomar Ait Khedache, because of the time they had spent behind bars while awaiting trial. A few hours after the verdict, Dubreucq addressed the court in a letter read by his lawyer. He wrote: 'I never participated in this jewelry theft. You don't condemn a man on the altar of suspicion and doubt.' Dubreucq even addressed a few words Kim, who was held captive and gagged during the robbery, as well as to Abderrahmane Ouatiki, a receptionist at the hotel where the star was staying at the time of the events. He said: 'The ordeal they endured deeply disturbed them, and I felt the trauma they are experiencing today in their voices. It did not leave me indifferent. I dare to hope that in time they will find the path to healing.' The audacious early hours raid in October 2016 took place at the height of Paris Fashion Week, and at the height of the socialite's fame. Kim was alone in the penthouse apartment of her hotel, dozing on the bed in a silk nightgown, when two men disguised as policemen burst into the room and held a gun to her head. The celebrity was bound and gagged, 'like a sausage' and dumped in the bath of her ensuite bathroom while robbers spent 49 minutes snatching millions of pounds worth of gems and watches including her 18.88 carat diamond engagement ring. As they fled, one robber dropped a platinum cross adorned with diamonds that was recovered the following morning. A visibly traumatised Kim fled the country by private jet after giving a brief statement to French detectives and was consoled by then husband Kanye who halted a concert, telling fans he had a 'family emergency'. In the intervening years, the mother told how she feared for her life and cried: 'Don't kill me, I have babies!' Kim has been denied justice for years, with delays on bringing the case to court blamed on the priority of high-profile terrorist trials. There were also fears that the publicity of this trial would destroy Paris' reputation as a high-class tourist destination ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games. But last month the reality TV star re-lived her terrifying ordeal that occurred almost nine years ago when she gave evidence in the trial. A career criminal known as 'Old Omar' was accused of masterminding the heist that was France's highest value robbery in a decade. Omar's 79-year-old mistress Christiane 'Cathy' Glotin was also said to be involved. Old Omar denied being the mastermind of the heist. He instead said another man, who he refused to name, presented the opportunity to him. He claimed this man presented detailed plans, including layouts of the hotel building and pictures of Kim wearing the prized jewellery.
ABC News
5 days ago
- ABC News
French 'grandpa robber' behind Kim Kardashian jewellery heist dies
One of the French "grandpa robbers" who stole jewellery worth millions from reality star Kim Kardashian has died a month after being convicted. Didier Dubreucq, 69, died on Thursday, local time, after being diagnosed with lung cancer during pre-trial detention and had been undergoing chemotherapy. He was one of 10 suspects to be tried earlier this year for stealing jewels from the American influencer in 2016, including a huge diamond ring from her now ex-husband, rapper Kanye West. Dubreucq, who police nicknamed "Blue Eyes" due to his piercing gaze, was accused of being the second person who stormed into Kardashian's hotel room on the night of October 2 to 3, 2016, but he denied the charges. A Paris court last month sentenced him to seven years in jail, including five suspended, over the robbery. He was absent for the ruling as he was undergoing chemotherapy, and did not return to jail as he had already served his two years in pre-trial detention. In April, he had however turned up in court after a chemotherapy session to say he had "nothing to do" with the theft. He said he did not like to be labelled an "armed robber" despite having served a 23-year sentence for past armed robberies. "I'm a good guy," he said, rejecting suggestions that he was a "thug". Since becoming a father at the age of 50, Dubreucq said he had put an end to the "big mistakes" of the past. None of the eight people convicted last month returned to jail, including 69-year-old ringleader Aomar Ait Khedache, because of the time they had spent behind bars awaiting trial. AFP
Kuwait Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Paris court convicts thieves who robbed Kim Kardashian
PARIS: This court sketch made on May 13, 2025 in Paris shows US celebrity Kim Kardashian (center), next to co-accused Aomar Ait Khedache, testifying before the court. — AFP PARIS: A French court on Friday convicted the jewel thieves who in 2016 tied up US reality TV star Kim Kardashian at gun point before making off with her $4 million engagement ring and other booty. Ten people were in the dock, accused of involvement in the Paris heist. Robbers wearing ski masks and disguised as police tied up the billionaire celebrity before making off with the ring, given to her by her then-husband, rapper Kanye West (now known as Ye), and other jewels. Kardashian travelled to Paris to testify earlier this month, telling the court she had thought she was going to die. The mixed panel of judges and jury convicted eight of the 10 for crimes directly linked to the theft, while another defendant was found guilty of illegal weapons charges. One person was acquitted. The heaviest sentences were handed down to five defendants who participated directly in the heist, with the mastermind of the robbery, 69-year-old Aomar Ait Khedache, getting a three-year jail sentence. Kardashian's lawyers said that she accepted the court's ruling. 'I am deeply grateful to the French authorities for pursuing justice in this case. The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving a lasting impact on me and my family,' she said in a statement. 'While I'll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all.' During her court appearance, she said she forgave Khedache, who had asked for forgiveness in a letter. The thieves were dubbed the 'grandpa robbers' by the press as many were of or near retirement age. At the time, the robbery was considered the biggest in France for more than 20 years. — Reuters
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Kim grateful for robbers' conviction
Kardashian said she looks forward to putting the episode behind her. Photo: File A French court on Friday convicted a gang of robbers who stole $10 million in jewellery from reality TV star Kim Kardashian in a Paris hotel in 2016, although they will not return to jail and the verdicts were more lenient than requested by the prosecution, reported AFP. Describing the heist as "the most terrifying experience of my life", Kardashian swiftly expressed her gratitude to the French authorities for pursuing "justice" in the case. Nine men and one woman have been on trial since April and prosecutors sought the toughest jail terms – 10 years – for the four men accused of carrying out the robbery. Aomar Ait Khedache, 69, the ringleader, was handed the heaviest sentence of three years in prison plus five years suspended, but due to time served in jail will not return to detention, like all the others convicted. Two other suspects accused of handing information about the American superstar's whereabouts were acquitted. All the sentences were substantially lower than the terms demanded by the prosecution. Kardashian, then 35, was robbed while staying at an exclusive hotel in the French capital on the night of October 2-3, 2016. She was threatened with a gun to the head and tied up, with her mouth taped. Kardashian said after the verdict that she was "deeply grateful to the French authorities for pursuing justice". "The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving a lasting impact on me and my family," she said in a statement sent by her lawyers. "While I'll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all," she added. 'I am very sorry' After the hearing adjourned, the convicted men embraced their loved ones in relief and slowly left the courtroom, taking with them the bags and suitcases they had prepared in case of imprisonment. "The sentences are quite lenient; I understand that you understand that you have caused harm," presiding judge David De Pas told them as he read out the verdicts. He also said "the state of health of the main protagonists ethically prohibits incarcerating anyone. It would have been unjust to take you to prison this evening." Aomar Ait Khedache had begged to be forgiven in his final statement ahead of sentencing. Khedache is now virtually mute and completely deaf, and his statement was read out by his lawyer. "I ask for forgiveness. I can't find the words. I am very sorry," he wrote, asking for "a thousand pardons" from his son Harminy, who was convicted for acting as a driver on the night of the heist. Two other men convicted of carrying out the robbery on the night, Yunice Abbas, 71, and Didier Dubreucq, 69, were sentenced to seven years jail including five suspended. Dubreucq was absent as he is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. The fourth member of the robbery gang, Marc-Alexandre Boyer, at 35 the only youngster, was given the same sentence. Kardashian's lawyers said in a statement that the star "looks forward to putting this tragic episode behind her, as she continues working to improve the criminal justice system on behalf of victims, the innocent, and the incarcerated seeking to redeem themselves". 'Grandpa robbers' Most of the stolen valuables were never recovered, including a diamond ring given to Kardashian by her then-husband, rapper Kanye West. The ring alone was valued at 3.5 million euros ($3.9 million). The robbery was the biggest against a private individual in France in 20 years. Most of the accused are now in their 60s and 70s and have been dubbed the "Grandpa robbers" by French media. But making the sentencing demands earlier this week, the prosecutor urged the judges and jury to remember that Kardashian was targeted by a violent attack and not to be taken in by the "wrinkles" of the defendants. The American star testified at the trial, wearing a diamond necklace valued at $3 million, according to its New York-based creator Samer Halimeh. During the trial, Kardashian told the court she forgave Khedache after hearing a letter of apology from him. "I forgive you for what has taken place but it does not change the emotion, the feelings, the trauma and the way my life changed," she told Khedache, adding that she believed in a "second chance". Kardashian, sometimes described as "famous for being famous", became well known in the early 2000s through TV reality shows, before launching fashion brands and appearing in films.
Al Bawaba
24-05-2025
- Al Bawaba
Kim Kardashian 's $4M ring heist ends in verdict — but one walks free
ALBAWABA - Justice served years later — Kim Kardashian 's robbers finally convicted. A French court handed down a conviction on Friday for the jewel thieves who, in 2016, held the American reality TV star Kim Kardashian at gunpoint and then stole her engagement ring, which was worth $4 million, along with other items of her personal property. There were ten individuals detained on suspicion of involvement in the theft that occurred in Paris. The millionaire celebrity was tied up by thieves disguising themselves as law enforcement officers and wearing ski masks. They then stole the ring, which had been presented to her by her ex-husband, the rapper Kanye West, who is now known as Ye, along with other jewelry. Kardashian went to Paris to testify earlier this month, during which she revealed to the judge that she had been under the impression that she was going to pass away. (FILES) US celebrity Kim Kardashian (L) leaves with her mother Kris Jenner (R) (Photo by LEO VIGNAL / AFP) An additional defendant was found guilty of unlawful weapons charges, while eight of the ten defendants were found guilty of crimes directly related to the theft by the panel of judges and jurors that was comprised of both male and female members. One individual was found not guilty. Aomar Ait Khedache, who is 69 years old and was the mastermind behind the robbery, received a sentence of three years in prison. The penalties that were handed out were the harshest possible punishments for the five offenders who participated directly in the fraud. TOPSHOT - US celebrity Kim Kardashian (C) (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP) The judicial decision was accepted by Kardashian, according to her legal representatives. My sincere appreciation goes out to the French authorities for their efforts to bring about justice in this matter. According to a statement that she released, "The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving an impact that will last for the rest of my life and for my family." "While I'll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all." During her court appearance, she stated that she had the ability to forgive Khedache, who had sent a letter requesting forgiveness.
