The highly anticipated trial of 10 individuals allegedly involved in the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian at a Paris hotel has commenced.
The reality television personality and entrepreneur was restrained and threatened with firearms in her luxury suite during Paris Fashion Week.
Approximately $10 million (£7.5 million) in jewelry was stolen, including a $4 million (£2.9 million) diamond engagement ring from her then-husband Kanye West.
Inside a courtroom adorned with 19th-century tapestries, the proceedings have offered insight into the varied backgrounds of those suspected to be involved in the audacious theft.
Among the first to appear was 71-year-old Yunice Abbas, whose history was detailed in a “enquête de personnalité”—a customary background assessment in French trials that considers elements such as family circumstances, conduct, and employment to inform the jury’s understanding.
The court reviewed Abbas’ extensive criminal record, spanning petty offences and minor drug dealing to more serious crimes including bank robbery, as well as his challenging upbringing, much of which occurred in Algeria after the loss of two siblings.
Having spent nearly a third of his life incarcerated, Abbas has admitted his involvement in the crime and authored a memoir, I Held Up Kim Kardashian. Presiding judge David De Pas observed that the book suggested Abbas took pride in his actions—an assertion he has denied.
When questioned about remorse, Abbas stated he had not previously felt sympathy for his victims but now regrets participating in the Kardashian incident, saying, “It opened my eyes.”
He recounted how, while following media reports in prison, he became aware of the trauma experienced by Kardashian.
“We just grabbed the lady’s handbag but I have discovered there’s trauma behind it,” he added.
Attention also turned to Gary Madar, whose brother’s firm provided transportation and taxis for the Kardashian family over several years. The 35-year-old father-of-two faces accusations of supplying information about Kardashian’s whereabouts on the night in question.
Employed as a customer service agent in Paris airports, Madar facilitated VIP arrivals and escorted them through immigration. This role brought him into contact with the Kardashians on multiple occasions.
He was concurrently employed at a café owned by another defendant, Florus Héroui, 52, to whom investigators allege Madar relayed details about Kardashian’s movements.
Madar has denied any involvement, and his legal counsel told the BBC there is “no solid proof” against him.
Another defendant, 78-year-old Marc Boyer, allegedly provided the weapon used during the robbery. He expressed sorrow that his son, Marc-Alexandre Boyer—also on trial—had been influenced by criminal surroundings to adopt a similar path.
The trial will continue throughout the week, with additional defendants expected to testify ahead of Kim Kardashian’s appearance, scheduled for 13 May.
With around 400 journalists accredited to cover the proceedings, court officials are anticipating logistical challenges to accommodate the media presence on the day of Kardashian’s testimony.
Only 10 out of the original 12 individuals arrested in 2017 are facing the court; one passed away last month, and another, aged 81, will not appear due to advanced dementia.
Aomar Ait Khedache, another defendant scheduled for Wednesday, faces communication difficulties, being nearly deaf and mute, and will respond to questions in writing.
This trial is being held more than eight years after the high-profile incident.
Patricia Tourancheau, an investigative journalist and author of a book on the robbery, explained to the BBC that previous high-profile terrorism cases in Paris courts contributed to delays in scheduling the trial.
She noted that the advanced age and health of several defendants led to limited pretrial detention, lessening the perceived urgency to bring the case forward.
“Once they were freed it felt less urgent for judges to bring this to trial,” Tourancheau observed.