‘Grandpa robbers’ go on trial over Kim K $15m jewellery heist

Ten veteran criminals – some of whom are in their 70s – have gone on trial in Paris over accusations that they carried out a brazen robbery against Kim Kardashian in 2016.

Ten suspects have gone on trial in Paris over the 2016 robbery of the US celebrity Kim Kardashian, which saw some $15 million worth of jewellery stolen from the reality TV star and influencer.

The group nicknamed the “grandpa robbers” because of their ages are in court over accusations that they plotted and carried out a brazen robbery against Kardashian in the French capital nearly a decade ago.

Defendant Yunice Abbas talks to the press as he leaves the Court of Assize in Paris. Picture: Getty Images

Kardashian was traumatised and left Paris hours after the robbery on the night of October 2-3, 2016. She was not in court for the start of the trial but is due to testify on May 13 in a highly anticipated appearance.

Those on trial are mainly men in their 60s and 70s with previous criminal records and underworld nicknames like “Old Omar” and “Blue Eyes” that recall the old-school French gangsters of 1960s and 1970s films noirs.

The lawyer for one of the victims is eager to dispel the image of “kind old men” on trial.

“We need to end this myth of friendly, Robin Hood-style pensioners,” said Henri de Beauregard, who represents the night receptionist forced to accompany the robbers.

This court sketch shows defendants Aomar Ait Khedache (C, front), Francois Delaporte (R, up), Florus Heroui (2nd R, up) and Christiane Glotin (4th T, up) during the trial. Picture: AFP

The nine men and one woman on trial, while charged in connection with the robbery, are not currently in custody.

Kardashian, then 35, was threatened with a gun to the head and tied up with her mouth taped up. The theft was the biggest against a private individual in France in the past 20 years.

The trial will also go into how the perpetrators received the information as to where Kardashian was staying during Paris Fashion Week, and picked the very moment when her bodyguard was absent, accompanying her sister Kourtney to a nightclub.

Defendant Aomar Khedache leaves court. Picture: Getty Images

It is thought Kardashian’s frequent posts about her wealth, personal life and whereabouts may have facilitated the perpetrators’ actions.

Meanwhile, a key suspect in the case has died unexpectedly after reports he received threats from a criminal gang suspected of buying the reality TV star’s jewellery.

Marceau Baum-Gertner, 72, was the alleged “super fence” working with the gang that held up Kardashian at gunpoint in the terrifying 2016 robbery, The Sun reports.

A suspect in the terrifying robbery of Kim Kardashian has been found dead. Picture: AFP

His alleged role meant he would have been responsible for finding buyers for the Kardashian jewellery, which included Kim’s $6 million engagement ring from former husband Kanye West.

Baum-Gertner was due to go on trial this week, alongside 10 others accused over the “robbery and kidnap” of Kardashian by “an organised gang”, The Sun reports.

Kardashian is set to testify at the trial, which begins on Monday.

Police officers standing guard at the entrance of the hotel in Paris shortly after the robbery. Picture: AFP

The star was robbed at gunpoint in her room at the Hotel de Pourtales while attending Paris Fashion Week on October 3, 2016.

Five people dressed as police officers bound and gagged her, held her at gunpoint, and took off with the haul of jewels.

Baum-Gertner was found dead in Paris’s 10th arrondissement on March 6 and the cause has not been released.

The thieves stole Kim Kardashian’s huge engagement ring, which was never recovered. Picture: AP

A source told The Sun: “Mr Baumgertner had been released on bail following his arrest over the Kim Kardashian robbery eight years ago, and was living in Paris, while regularly reporting to police.

“His name was on the defendants’ list for the trial, and he was very enthusiastic about clearing his name in court.

“This was until he died suddenly in the 10th arrondissement of Paris on March 6th.”

The source continued: “He was suspected of liaising with mafia gangs from across the world over the Kardashian jewellery, and criminals are known to have issued threats against him following widespread publicity connected to the case.”

– with AFP

Originally published as ‘Grandpa robbers’ go on trial over Kim K $15m jewellery heist