A trial of suspects accused of robbing Kim Kardashian at gunpoint begins in Paris

PARIS — 9 years in the past TV actuality star Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint in Paris. Thieves broke into her luxurious rented residence in the midst of the evening, tied her up and made away with $10 million in jewellery.

That included a $4 million engagement ring from rapper Kanye West (who now goes by Ye). The alleged thieves have been caught and their trial started this week.

It pits the fact TV star in opposition to old-style, getting older bandits — the “grandpa robbers,” because the French press calls them.

The 11 males and one girl got here on foot and bike — dressed as law enforcement officials, to trick the doorman at Kardashian’s residence in Paris throughout Trend Week in October 2016.

One suspect in his 70s, Yunice Abbas, has written a e-book in regards to the heist. He had already served 20 years in jail for housebreaking.

“I told myself this was really the last time. But a 20-karat diamond without protection — that was tempting,” he stated in an interview with French broadcaster TF1. “I had no idea who she was. I was just told ‘the wife of a rapper.’ “

Yunice Abbas, one of many males accused within the 2016 armed theft of Kim Kardashian, arrives on the Palace of Justice in Paris on Monday.

Aurelien Morissard/AP

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Aurelien Morissard/AP

The ring, nevertheless, was recognized. Kardashian had been vaunting it to her with greater than 300 million followers on Instagram.

Abbas stated they solely stayed 6 minutes. His getaway bike had a flat tire and his bag of jewels bought caught on the bike and ripped. The jewels fell out into the road. A $24,000 diamond cross necklace fell into the gutter and was discovered the following day by a passerby who wore it till she turned it in.

The newbie gangsters, with nicknames like Outdated Omar and Blue Eyes, used tape and velcro to restrain Kardashian and left their DNA all over the place. They have been caught inside 4 months.

Mohand Ouidja, lawyer for the safety guard who was tied up and now has PTSD, says it might sound humorous however it’s severe. “It’s theft and violence with guns and bondage,” he says. “It’s grave. Whatever the age of the actors, this is a criminal gang.”

Kardashian described the evening because the worst second of her life. Her $4 million diamond ring was by no means discovered. She is going to return to Paris to testify in mid-Might.

Abbas says he desires to apologize.