Accused of Kardashian Heist Expresses Regret Over $10 Million Robbery

Yunice Abbas, the 71-year-old ringleader of the Paris heist, has expressed regret over the trauma caused to Kim Kardashian during the robbery, which netted approximately $10 million in jewels. As the trial unfolds, more details emerge about the accused, including their backgrounds and roles within the crime.

The trial has initiated for a group of ten individuals accused of orchestrating the high-profile robbery of reality star Kim Kardashian in Paris back in 2016. The shocking incident occurred when Kardashian was tied up and threatened at gunpoint in her luxurious hotel suite during Paris Fashion Week, resulting in the theft of about $10 million (£7.5 million) in valuables, including a $4 million (£2.9 million) diamond engagement ring from her then-husband, Kanye West.

In a grand courtroom adorned with ornate 19th Century tapestries, jurors were given a glimpse into the lives of those involved in the heist. The spotlight turned to Yunice Abbas, a 71-year-old criminal with a lengthy history of offenses, who underwent a "enquête de personnalité" to delve into his personal history. The investigation revealed Abbas has spent a significant portion of his life in incarceration, owing to a diverse criminal past that spans petty crimes, drug trafficking, and bank robberies. Remarkably, he has openly acknowledged his role in the Kardashian robbery, even publishing a memoir titled *I Held Up Kim Kardashian*.

While stating that he had previously lacked empathy for crime victims, Abbas confessed, "I do regret what I did… It opened my eyes," recounting how he was affected by the extensive media coverage that ensued post-robbery. He emphasized recognizing the emotional trauma suffered by Kardashian, stating, “We just grabbed the lady's handbag but I have discovered there's trauma behind it."

The trial has also turned its focus on Gary Madar, a 35-year-old father who allegedly provided the gang with critical details about Kardashian’s whereabouts the night of the robbery. Madar had a prior working relationship with the Kardashians, greeting them as they arrived in Paris, but he denies any wrongdoing and his attorney insists there is insufficient evidence tying him to the crime.

The courtroom has entertained other defendants as well, including Marc Boyer, 78, accused of supplying the weapon used in the robbery. Boyer expressed regret regarding his son's upbringing amid a multitude of criminals and miscreants, reflecting on the impact of a criminal lifestyle on familial relations.

As the trial progresses toward the day Kim Kardashian is anticipated to testify on May 13, there is considerable media interest, with around 400 journalists expected to witness the proceedings, leading to logistical challenges for court officials.

With two of the originally arrested twelve suspects either deceased or excused due to illness, those remaining are poised to recount their stories as the trial unfolds after years of delay attributed to various legal complexities and backlog in the Paris judicial system.