Topline
A Paris court on Friday found eight of 10 defendants guilty of helping carry out the 2016 robbery of billionaire reality television star Kim Kardashian, more than a week after Kardashian told the court she thought she was “going to die” as the robbers stole about $9 million in jewels.
Kardashian was robbed in 2016 during Paris Fashion Week. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/GC Images)
Aomar Aït Khedache, the 69-year-old considered the ringleader of the robbery, was found guilty and received the longest sentence of eight years in prison, though five of those are suspended, with three others receiving sentences of seven years in prison with five years suspended.
All of those given a prison sentence will not serve any additional time because of the time they have already spent in pretrial detention, the Associated Press reported.
Most of those charged in connection with the robbery were in their 60s and 70s, leading French media to nickname them the “grandpa robbers,” and presiding judge David De Pas acknowledged their age in delivering what he called “lenient” sentences.
The defendants faced charges including armed robbery, kidnapping, and other gang and weapons charges.
Kardashian, who testified last week but was not present in court for the verdict, said in a statement Friday she is “deeply grateful to the French authorities for pursuing justice in this case,” calling the robbery the “most terrifying experience” while stating she believes in “growth and accountability” and hopes for “healing for all.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.